Today we visit The Alhambra (Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء, Al-Ḥamrā' , literally "the red one"), the complete form of which was Calat Alhambra (الْقَلْعَةُ ٱلْحَمْرَاءُ, Al-Qal‘at al-Ḥamrā’ , "the red fortress"), is a palace and fortress complex constructed during the mid 14th century by the Moorish rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus, occupying the top of the hill of the Assabica on the southeastern border of the city of Granada in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.
The Alhambra's Moorish palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs in Spain and its court, of the Nasrid dynasty. After the Reconquista (reconquest) by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. The Palace of Charles V, built by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor in 1527, was inserted in the Alhambra within the Nasrid fortifications. After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the Alhambra was "discovered" in the 19th century by European scholars and travelers, with restorations commencing. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Islamic architecture, together with 16th-century and later Christian building and garden interventions. The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the inspiration for many songs and stories.
For more information click here.
At once you know Alhambra is large with over 60 buildings and monuments. Even more impressive are the gardens and the stone work. I don’t know how may acres it occupies but it takes 20 minutes to walk from the entry gate to the Nasrid Palace. 6,000 people are allowed to enter each day. Reservations to a specific time slot (e.g. 9:30) on a particular day are available through the internet. Then you get your tickets from an ATM-like machine by inserting your credit card. They tightly control everything but it all runs smoothly. ‘Would be even smoother without the German and Asian tour groups. Here are some photos:
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