Today we visited the breathtaking Alhambra palaces and gardens.
The Alhambra (meaning red in Spanish due to the colour of the stone) was originally constructed as a fortress in 889 (the Alcazaba) and later converted to a royal palace in 1333. The Alhambra's Islamic palaces were built for the last Muslim emirs of Spain in the 14th century and followed the consistent theme of 'paradise on earth' with column arcades, fountains and reflecting pools. The Palace of Charles V was built in 1527 and contrasts sharply with the earlier Moorish architecture.
The Nasrid palace was truly amazing with stalactite ceilings, highly decorated stucco walls, marble fountains, geometric tiles and arabesques. There were bathrooms with hot and cold running water and pressurised water for showering.
The older fortress occupies a strategic position at the front of the plateau and has expansive views over Granada.
The palace and gardens of Generalife (Garden of the Architect in Muslim) was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid kings and became part of the Alhambra complex in the 1900's.
I cannot find words to describe the beauty of this place, even Chocolate Moose was impressed!! He has a few comments as always... we're on the run from the Andalucian authorities now!! Back to hide out in the mountains!!
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| Detail of the Nasrid Palace |
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| Courtyard of the Lions |
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| Courtyard in Nasrid palace |
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| View over Alcazaba and Albaicin (district of Granada) |
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| Nasrid palace in background |
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| View from Generalife to Alhambra |
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Court of la Acequia (Generalife)
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