Granada

We pulled into Granada about 6:00 PM, and just spent a quiet evening at the hotel. More on the hotel later. 

The next morning we had tickets to (and a tour of) The Alhambra. Washington Irving (yes, that Washington Irving) stayed here in the early 19th century (the 1820s) and wrote a book called "Tales of The Alhambra" You can get a cheap copy on your Kindle, and I recommend it. The Spaniards love him.

But the Alhambra is bordering on unbelievable. It was the last Moorish stronghold to fall, and is where Ferdinand and Isabella finally took control over the rest of Spain, from Muhammad XII, or Boabdil

As the Moorish entourage was leaving, Boabdil look back at the Alhambra and wept.

His mother looked at him and said:

 "Weep, weep like a woman, over what you couldn't defend like a man."

Harsh.

The Alhambra covers 35 acres, and covered with amazing gardens and structures. There is no way I will be able to do it justice, but I am posting a few snaps here to encourage you to visit.

All the gardens are all very well kept. When Irving stayed here they were all wild, but they were still there! Sort of astounding. He also reported that much of the palace was used by the poor folks of Granada.

We have a tiling project going on at home, so we are always interested in what the floors look like.

This is a view of The Alhambra, from The Alhambra.

There will be more views from outside the walls in a subsequent post.

More gardens. It was very rainy the way we were there. But that did not dampen our spirits!

A view of the city from The Alhambra

The tile work here us amazing. That Arabic script is a quote from the Quran, which the ruling family used as their motto. After a big victory, the Sultan had these tiles put up everywhere.

Victory comes only from Allah. النصر من عند الله فقط

The reflection ponds are great, and you can see the palaces both upside down and right side up. 

This is the famous Courtyard of the Lions. This is where the Abencerrajes family was allegedly beheaded one by one. It was rumored that one of the family had lusted after the Sultana. (Successfully?) Washington Irving disputes this story, though. But it is a great story. 

You can see how the courtyard got its name.

Some of this detail work is plaster. They had some of the molds in the museum here.

Yes, indeed.

A view of the Arab Quarter. They rioted after the mosques were closed, and then took to the hills and started a rebellion. But they were crushed. 

There are so many palaces and fortresses it is hard to keep track. I think this one is the Palacios Nazaries.

That series of low walls was the quarters for the soldiers that were stationed here. I think this was for officers. They had running water for sanitation!

They rang this bell for 24 hours on the 500th anniversary of the Spanish Victory (January 2nd, 1492)

I would eat off a plate like this.

Last view of The Alhambra for now, from the Alhambra.