Spain Travels – A Land of History and Great Food!
Barcelona || Zaragoza || Daroca and Albarracin || Valencia || Cartegena || Almeria || Granada || Alhambra || Segovia and Madrid
The Alhambra or Red Castle is built on a hill overooking Albaicin and bordered by the Darro River. In 1984 it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began at Alcazaba which was a fortress built in the the 9th Century. Not until the 13th century when the Alhambra was occupied by Mohammed I (founder of the Nasrid Dynasty) did it really start to grow. During this time the towers were built and the Darro river was diverted to flow through the gardens. Mohammed V, the eight Nasrid ruler in the 14th century, was one of the last to add to the construction of the Alhambra.
Moorish rule of Granada ended with Muhammad XII and the end of the Reconquista with King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile in 1492. The Catholic Kings added to the structure and did live in the castle until it was abandoned in the 18th century. In 1828 rehabilitation began.
The Alhambra is divided into sections based on its funtion. The Alcazaba, a military base that housed guards and their families; the palatial zone, which contained several palaces for the sultan and his kin; and the Medina, a quarter where court officials lived and worked.
The Nasrid palaces were divided into three independent areas. These areas included the Mexuar, a semipublic part of the palace (for justice administration and state affairs); the Comares Palace, the official residence of the sultan that was comprised of several rooms that surrounded the Court of the Myrtles (an outdoor area containing a large central pond lined with myrtle bushes); and the Palace of the Lions, a private area of the palace for the king and his family and mistresses. These areas are adorned with ornage ceramic, engravings and fountains.
The Generalife, built in the 13th century, was a garden retreat for the Sultans of Granada. The lack of ornate ceramaics, simple construction and gardens suggests that this was a place of leisure, not ceremony. The water runs continuously through the fountains and ponds of the Generalife by gravity.
Nasrid Palace – not the ornate engravings and ceramics
Nasrid Palace – not the ornate engravings and ceramics
Nasrid Palace – not the ornate engravings and ceramics
Nasrid Palace – not the ornate engravings and ceramics
Court of the Myrtles
Court of the Myrtles
Comares Palace – It was the official residence of the king and it comprises several rooms that surrounded the Court of the Myrtles.
Comares Palace – It was the official residence of the king and it comprises several rooms that surrounded the Court of the Myrtles.
Comares Palace – It was the official residence of the king and it comprises several rooms that surrounded the Court of the Myrtles.
Palace of the Lions – This palace comprised the private chambers of the royal family. Built by Mohammed V.
Palace of the Lions – This palace comprised the private chambers of the royal family. Built by Mohammed V.
Palace of the Lions – This palace comprised the private chambers of the royal family. Built by Mohammed V.
Hall of the Abencerrajes – The Hall of the Abencerrajes is located in front of the Hall of the Two Sisters. It is so called because it is said that the Abencerrajes knights were there beheaded.
Hall of the Ajimeces – The Hall of the Ajimeces is so called because of two twin balconies on its north wall, which overlook the garden.
Hall of the Ajimeces – The Hall of the Ajimeces is so called because of two twin balconies on its north wall, which overlook the garden.
Hall of the Ajimeces – The Hall of the Ajimeces is so called because of two twin balconies on its north wall, which overlook the garden.
Hall of the Ajimeces – The Hall of the Ajimeces is so called because of two twin balconies on its north wall, which overlook the garden.
Hall of the Ajimeces – The Hall of the Ajimeces is so called because of two twin balconies on its north wall, which overlook the garden.
Daraxa’s Garden – Daraxa’s Garden was also called Garden of the Orange Trees and Garden of the Marbles.
Daraxa’s Garden – Daraxa’s Garden was also called Garden of the Orange Trees and Garden of the Marbles.
Rauda Tower
Garden of the Partal – The Garden of the Partal covers all the area between the exit of the Rauda and the esplanade where the Ladies Tower stands.
The Garden of the Partal covers all the area between the exit of the Rauda and the esplanade where the Ladies Tower stands.
Good place for Yoga!
Inside on of the Towers
Tower of the Princesses – In the 16th century this tower was called Ruiz y Quintarnaya’s Tower, for this was its inhabitant’s name.
Garden of the Ramparts – This garden was so called because it was located on the parapet walk by the ramparts under the fortress and it is one of the places with the most beautiful views over the city.
Tower of the Captive – The Tower of the Captive was called Tower of the Woman Thief and Tower of the Sultana. The name of the tower was changed to Tower of the Captive because it was thought that Lady Isabel de Solís lived there. She converted to the Islam with the name of Zoraya and was Muley Hacén’s favourite wife.
Tower of the Captive
Generalife
Generalife
Patio of the Irrigation Ditch
Patio of the Irrigation Ditch
Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree
Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree
Oleander Walk
Abencerrajes
Palace of Charles V
Palace of Charles V
Torre de la Vela
Alcazaba
Then Lee had to have Helados!
And we ate dinner at one of the many Moroccan restaurants
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