Abd-el-Rahman III commissioned the Medina Al-Zahra after elevating himself to Caliph of Córdoba and to secure his supremacy in Al-Andalus in the middle of the tenth century. In founding this palace-city, Abd-al-Rahman followed the eastern Islamic tradition of sovereigns founding medinas, or urban centers, which included both private and public quarters. (...)
Abd-el-Rahman III commissioned the Medina Al-Zahra after elevating himself to Caliph of Córdoba and to secure his supremacy in Al-Andalus in the middle of the tenth century. In founding this palace-city, Abd-al-Rahman followed the eastern Islamic tradition of sovereigns founding medinas, or urban centers, which included both private and public quarters. The vast complex, much of which is still unexcavated, was built just west of the city of Córdoba. The complex included pools, houses, gardens, a throne room, a mosque, and reception rooms, and, even in a ruined state, is one of the most important ensembles of medieval Islamic architecture in Spain.
Two reception rooms were used to receive official delegations to the caliphate, and the eastern reception room, the Salón Rico, also eponymously known as the Salón of Abd-el-Rahman III, is elaborately decorated in stone carvings. These carvings represent the tree of life and extend from the walls of the building to the horseshoes arches. The Salón Rico is organized in three aisles separated by two rows of horseshoe arches and an ornamental wall with arches.
