Tag Archives: The Alhambra

Granada: The Alhambra

Granada Street lights
But it still looks like night-time?!

Our day at the Alhambra started at the crack of dawn as many on our vacations do.  We walked a few blocks, then took a little bus to the entrance gate.  By the time we arrived we were already in a line a few dozen people long.

There are timed entrances on portions of the ticket so that areas of The Alhambra aren’t overrun.   According to everything we’d read, the best times to visit are earliest and latest of the day. The earliest time still available made the most sense to us so we would have more time to explore before closing.

Very Brief History

La AlhambraConstruction on the castle/fortress started in 889, and was part of the Nasrid dynasty by the mid-11th century.  Much of the construction with the absolutely gorgeous Islamic architecture and design took place in the 1300’s.

Catholic monarchs destroyed a portion of the complex and built the Palace of Charles V in the early 1500’s.  Eventually the site was abandoned, fell into disrepair, and was being used by squatters until it was rediscovered in the 19th century.

The Alcazaba & Arms Square

The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra.  With the ramparts and many towers, these areas would have been used as a fortress and weapons storage during times of siege.  The bell on the Watch Tower, or Torre de la Vela, was used as a signal danger, or to tell workers in the valley below the different times they had to carry out certain tasks such as watering fields.

Nowadays, the single ladies like the bell!  Tradition says that every young, single, woman who rings the bell on January 2nd will be married by the end of the year.

The Nasrid Palaces
Pigeon, Alhambra, Granada
Reflecting in the reflecting pool.

The Nasrid Palaces were designed with a theme of ‘paradise on earth.’ The columns, arches, fountains and reflecting pools create just the right atmosphere.

Several different areas make up the Nasrid Palaces.  All of the rooms  are impressive–from the baths to the court yards, to the harem, they’re extraordinary.

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The walls are intricately carved, covered in Arabic inscriptions or ornate geometric tiled patterns.  Kudos to the people who made these designs!  I can’t even begin to imagine the amount of effort and concentration it would take to make something so tiny and delicate on such a HUGE scale.

And, it isn’t just the walls that are gorgeous, the ceilings are just as awesome.  The muqarnas would have taken forever to design and carve.  (Muqarnas are the fanciful stalactite-like accents of Islamic architecture.)

The Muqarna filled ceiling of the Sala de los Abencerrajes, The Alhambra
The Muqarna filled ceiling of the Sala de los Abencerrajes, The Alhambra

I had never seen anything quite like the Sala de los Abencerrajes.  A photo can’t do the rooftop justice.  Even today, in its faded state the carving is crazy beautiful.  You can see chips and flecks of colour through-out.  Just try to picture what that would look like colorized!

The Generalife

Lily Pads, GeneralifeThe Nasrid Kings used the Generalife as an escape from palace life.  As a “country estate”  the gardens and ponds are surrounded by perfectly manicured hedges, flowers,  and orchard-like settings.     I was especially excited about the Pomegranate trees!  We do not see those growing in Canada that’s for sure.  And, I totally nerded out and took pictures of them too.  Classic tourist style!

UNESCO Designation, The Alhambra
UNESCO Designation

As a historical complex with beautiful gardens and architectural intrigue at every corner, and as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Alhambra is an obvious must on any visit to Granada.  Check it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed.

Happy Travels
~j

 

 

Granada to Ronda

Sunday, Sunday. We’ve passed the halfway point of our time in Spain although it feels like we have been here much longer which is nice.

Granada is a great city. It is refreshing after the loads of people in Barcelona. On our first day in Granada we visited The Alhambra. The intricacies and details of the carvings are otherworldly. I cannot wait to go through those photos!

Yesterday, we had no set plans, and just explored the city. Granada is one of the only cities I’ve ever seen that has featured graffiti on its tourism maps. It’s easy to find all sorts of interesting pieces if you’re observant, but having a map was kind of fun. A city seeing street art as a feature rather than a nuisance is different for sure. I was in graffiti heaven for most of the day. FYI: There were still the usual shitty tags and scribbles in addition to the prettier pieces.

‎After today in Ronda, we are off to The Rock of Gibraltar tomorrow (which us actually part of the UK). I’m a little nervous about the apes of Gibraltar. In hindsight, it might have been a good idea to get that rabies vaccination after all.

Being bitten by an ape is NOT on my to do list!
~j