Granada
AA-2026-F38D50
On the image
From inside a dark, elaborately carved archway, the city unfolds, white buildings stacked against the scrubby hills of Granada. People travelled to these places, presumably, to appreciate the unique architectural detailing of the structure they were standing in, but mostly they just pointed their cameras at the view outside.
An ancient wall snakes its way up the distant hillside, built by someone who thought it would solve problems for all time. Below, the urban sprawl suggests subsequent generations solved their problems by building more houses, likely without consulting the original wall-builders.
The framing effect of the arch dictates the composition, making it a "view" instead of just a picture of buildings. This was considered good photography in the 1970s, before everyone just took pictures of their food.
The historian's note
This image captures a panoramic view of Granada, Spain, in the 1970s, seen through a historic archway likely part of the Alhambra complex or a similar ancient structure within the city. The white buildings of the Albaicín district or other historic neighbourhoods are visible, extending up the slopes of the surrounding hills.
In the background, ancient defensive walls, characteristic of Granada's Moorish past, ascend one of the hills, contributing to the city's distinctive landscape. Granada's rich history as a major centre during Moorish rule and its subsequent reconquest by Catholic Monarchs is embodied in these enduring architectural and topographical features.
The vantage point appears to be from within a structure designed to offer commanding views, emphasising the strategic and aesthetic importance of the location throughout its history.
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Granada Cityscape through Historic Archway, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-F38D50. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/granada-cityscape-through-historic-archway-1970s.
@misc{aaAA2026F38D50,
title = {Granada Cityscape through Historic Archway, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-F38D50},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/granada-cityscape-through-historic-archway-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Granada Cityscape through Historic Archway, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-F38D50 UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/granada-cityscape-through-historic-archway-1970s ER -
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