Hall of Abd al-Rahman III, Madinat al-Zahra, Spain, 2007 (photo)

When Abd al-Rahman (AD 889/891-961) proclaimed himself Caliph in 929, he founded the palatial city of Madinat al-Zahra as his personal residence and capital of the new Caliphate state. The architecture of the palace was designed ot reflect his high position. This is expressed in the splendour of the Hall of Abd al-Rahman III, with its position opening out onto a majestic garden, its basilica design with three naves, and the rich and profuse bas-relief arabesque decoration that covered its walls. On the far wall there is a blind horseshoe arch, before which the caliph presumably sat for formal audiences.