Granada, Spain

We visited the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace.  It is about a 3 hour drive from Cordoba.  The landscape from Cordoba to Granada is filled with olive and almond trees. (I think our guide said about 40% of the olive oil produced comes from Spain.)  The Alhambra is the most renowned cultural attraction in Granada.  (The city of Granada is the capital of the Province of Granada.)  The gardens are spectacular.  It rained a bit AFTER our tour - a good thing!  The tour was approximately a 3 mile walk.

Muhammad I al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty installed his court on the Sabika hill in 1238, beginning with the construction of the Alhambra.  1333-1354 Yusuf I,  constructed the Comares Palace.  1354-1391, construction of the Palace of the Lions.  1492 Isabella and Ferdinand II conducted extensive repairs on the palaces and installed the Royal House and the headquarters of the General Captaincy of the Kingdom of Granada.  1500-1558 Charles V, married Isabella of Portugal and decided to build a Palace for her - one of the most important works of the Spanish Renaissance - this palace was never lived in!  In 1829, Washington Irving, the American writer, visited Granada and stayed in the Alhambra.  He was inspired to write the best seller "Tales of the Alhambra."  If you're interested, you can download the book from Amazon for 99 cents.

 View of Granada from Alhambra

Walls of the Alhambra and overlook of Granada

A bridge built to enable visitors to get from one side of the palace grounds to the other

reflection pool in one of the many gardens

Alabaster walls in Palace of Palacio de Carlos V

detail of walls

doorway leading into the palace - just in case you want to visit the Sultan!

It was a wonderful experience visiting the Alhambra.  We go now to Costa del Sol where the sun is surely shining.  

Richard and I still have colds.  He thinks the best remedy is sleep.  I continue to drink Rioja and don't care much if it helps or not!