Madinat al-Zahra alcázar

Also known as Medina Azahara, located in modern day Córdoba, Spain. When the Umayyad Caliphate invaded the Iberian peninsula, a new breed of structures came along upon consolidation, the so called ''alcázars'. These were administrative buildings serving the dual purpose of a palace and fortification within Spain specificly. Madinat al-Zahra was among the first alcázar constructed within Iberia. Commisioned by Abd ar-Rahman III with the ideological purpose to equal himself with the Eastern caliphates. The alcázar display of high status were lush gardens and displays of water, as a sign of wealth of being able to grow bountifull nature & casual use of water in a harsh climate as well as elaborate mosaic designs. Madinat al-Zahra was no exception in that regard. https://www.wmf.org/project/sal%C3%B3n-rico-palace-medina-azahara