Salón Rico, Madinat al-Zahra', 953-957

-patron= Abd al-Rahman III

-after declared al-Andalus independent islamic state in 929 (caliphate)

-a palace but virtually a city because so big

-a place to leaders to escape during the summer (not just a move of convenience but shows that can measure up to the caliphs of the east)

-5 miles outside Cordoba

-enormous project to establish within the geography (had to bring water down from noth in moutains through a series of channel and aqueducts- similar to Romans)

-showed caliph had power over natural world

-served as both residence and seat of government

Salon Rico:

-reception room

-arcade with horseshoe arches

-alternating voussiors with carved panels of marble

-elaborate decor- lavish with alternating materials