Historic Alhambra Sparks Online Debate Between Moroccan and Algerian Social Media Users

It all started with a post on X about the Alhambra, which went viral on the web (over a million views), noted TSA Algérie. "Every Algerian, or even Muslim, must visit Andalusia and in particular Granada and its must-see monument the Alhambra. Clearly one of the wonders of the Muslim world," writes Fodil Mahani, the author of the post. "The Alhambra was built by the Zirid dynasty, from Central Maghreb, current Algeria," we can read in the post. While the Alhambra is attributed to the Nasrids, it must be recognized that there was already potentially a Zirid palace on the site before its construction. According to the author of the post, there are many similarities with historical monuments in Algeria: "Alcazaba (Casbah of Algiers), the Mechouar which resembles that of Tlemcen and the white houses with patio like our Douiret".

This post provoked a dispute between Moroccan and Algerian Internet users over the origin of the builders of this medieval fortified palace in Granada. "Yes, and that’s why you only have one palace, restored by Moroccan craftsmen," an Internet user addressed the Algerians. He will add: "The whole world says that we find the same architecture in Morocco, in Fez, Meknes, Marrakech, etc. [...] You are inventing a story. It’s pitiful." The ultimate masterpiece of Islamic architecture in Spain, "looks more like Morocco. Muslims must thank Moroccan craftsmen for preserving this kind of monument thanks to their know-how," supports another Moroccan Internet user. The "Zirids were between 973 and 1148, while the Alhambra was built in 1238 by the Nasrids," points out a Moroccan Internet user who asks for "concrete and honest answers". While we only find "similarities in two places in Algeria, in Morocco, it’s everywhere the same thing," he believes.

"The palatial complex of the Alhambra dates from the period of the Moorish sovereigns (the Nasrid sultans)," we can read on the Visit Granada website. Its name comes from the Arabic qasr al-hamrã, meaning Red Palace. According to consistent historical references, the construction of this complex is attributed to Mohammed ben Nazar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, who made his entry into Granada in 1238. After his death, his son Mohammed II, then his descendants, continued the construction.