Alhambra

 

Backed by the Sierra Nevada mountains,

and surrounded by forest gardens filled with birdsong and the trickling sound of running water, the Alhambra is a beautiful and majestic complex of palaces, forts and gardens. 

The eighth century old site was named for the reddish walls and towers that surround the citadel. It’s the only surviving royal territorial centre of the Islamic golden age and a remnant of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom in Western Europe. 

Today was the day of Sarah’s planned visit and all went well … well, kind of. She got to see the old fort and the ruins of the original Medina (town), as well as the magnificent gardens of the Generalife. However, the tour we booked did not include the Nasrid palaces, and we didn’t realise the significance of that!! Here’s some of what she did see. 

The Gate of Justice - one of the entrances to the walled city.

Hedging to mirror the battlements.

And a bountiful array of fountains fed by aqueducts.

This is the Summer Palace in the Generalife gardens, where the harem (I think I understood correctly!!) lived. 

And a detail from the portico below.

These gave hints of the astonishing beauty and complexity of the designs within the Alhambra and so it was disappointing not to be able to visit the mosaics and ceramics held within the palaces themselves. Here, then, is some of what I didn’t see (courtesy of Mr Google!).

Meanwhile, Neil was off exploring the Arab quarter of the city which looks across the valley to the Alhambra and here’s some of what he saw.

All in all, quite an amazing day. 

It’s our last night in Granada and we’ve had to move from our albergue to a hostel not too far away. The church on the next corner, San Anton, has its own splendour, though it doesn’t seem nearly as refined as the Moorish art. And does one wonder where all this gold came from!

Tomorrow we don boots and up sticks on phase two of this pilgrimage, heading for Córdoba.

Buen Camino

Sarah and Neil