How did the Alhambra use tilework, stucco, wood carving, and calligraphy?

The Alhambra in Granada is a premier example of medieval Islamic architecture, renowned for its rich interior ornamentation that contrasts with its unassuming exterior. The palace utilizes several distinct decorative techniques to achieve a sense of secluded brilliance:1

• Stucco: This was the primary medium for architectural decoration. It was often hand-chiseled or molded to create intricate, flat-relief patterns, including arabesques, vegetal motifs, and geometric frameworks. A hallmark of the Alhambra is its use of muqarnas (stalactite work), where stucco is fashioned into honeycombed, multifaceted cupolas and vaults that resemble celestial domes.123
• Tilework: Lower wall areas were typically adorned with vividly colored ceramic tiles, which provided a structural and visual contrast to the stuccoed upper walls and ceilings.2
• Wood Carving: Wood was used for architectural elements such as domed ceilings, which were often exquisitely decorated in colors like blue, brown, red, and gold.3
• Calligraphy: Epigraphic themes were integrated directly into the design. Calligraphic inscriptions, often featuring poems, adorned the walls and cupolas, symbolically celebrating the architecture as a reflection of heaven.12