A fortress, palaces and gardens, this Andalusian marvel has to be seen.
Granada was the last Moorish city on the Iberian Peninsula when it was conquered by the Spanish Catholic crown in 1492. The fleeing Moors left behind a splendid fortress overlooking the city. The Alhambra and Generalife are the biggest attractions in town and rightfully so.
The Alhambra and Generalife are here because of the Nasrids, a Moorish dynasty that conquered Granada in the 13th century. The Nasrids would become the longest reigning and the last Moorish dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula. It is said that Ibn al-Ahmer decided to build a palace/fortress in 1238. The Nasrids built a large complex, complete with a large palace, baths, gardens and fortifications. After the conquest, the complex became Spanish royal palace, and they did their own changes to the complex. The most spectacular of part of Alhambra is the Nasrid Palace. The Spanish palace is now a museum, which I did not visit because I was starving.
The Puerta de la Justica, the southern gate of the Alhambra, was built in 1348.
Moorish gates often had 90 degree turns on the inside to slow traffic and intruders.
On one end of the Alhambra is the Alcazaba, a large fortress from the 1200s.
The sun rises very late during a Spanish winter. The tower in the back, the Torre de la Vela, offers great views of Granada.
Pretty impressive fortress even though it is all ruins on the inside.
As you leave the Alcazaba, you pass through a narrow garden, the Jardín de los Adarves.
Santa María de la Encarnación, a church built on the site of a former mosque. I haven’t found an explanation of why there is a plain arch over the front door. The side doors are like that too. Very strange.
The Mosque Baths. Steam baths (Hammam) are found all over Spain because they were used to perform the ablution ritual for purification before prayer. Baths were also used for socializing.
Now under the central tower like area of the baths. They are so tall I had to capture it in two photos. Tried panorama but it looked so weird.
Would have been so fancy with the walls all decorated.
Little side room with a plunge pool.
A few tiles still remaining. The baths would have looked so much different completely tiled.
The gardens of the Convento de San Francisco, which is now a fancy hotel I would never be able to afford, but they do let you wander around with no issue.
The convent was built over the remains of one of the Nasrid palaces.
I love Spanish courtyards.
This is the real reason that I went wandering through the hotel. Isabella I wanted to be buried in the convent. Her husband King Ferdinand would later join here. However, their grandson had other ideas and reburied them in the Royal Chapel next to the Cathedral. This room was an enclosed balcony from the original Nasrid palace, one of the few remaining bits still standing.
Now for the Jardines del Parasio. Many of the structures that once were in the gardens are now, but you can still see some lovely fountains.
The Alhambra is a bit terraced.
Known as the Partial Palace, it once was part of a larger palace. A full courtyard probably once enclosed the entire water feature.
A fancy room with a great view.
Look at this building with its fancy window.
Very lovely gardens.
Now for the Nasrid Palaces (or the Old Royal Palace). It has three main parts, the Mexuar, the Comares Palace, and the Palace of the Lions. The Mexuar served as an entrance wing and not all remains today.
There is a lot going on in this room. Apparently, it was a council hall at first and later turned into a chapel.
So pretty. It is the Oratory, a private prayer room for the Moorish ruler.
The Patio del Cuarto Dorado. Those doorways lead to the Comeres Palace. I also saw a person almost fall into that fountain.
Courtyard of the Myrtles. Those doors lead to the Baroque palace of Charles V.
Super impressive doorway.
The Moors really liked long skinny rooms for some reason. The Sala de la Barca (Room of the Boat). Honesty the name fits with that long curved like a boat ceiling.
Just wow!
The Hall of the Ambassadors. Just wonderful.
So ornate!
Even the window alcoves are covered with tiles!
So much detail.
Here’s the Sala de la Barca again.
So many fabulous ceilings in this place.
Back out in the Courtyard of the Myrtles. I just love this palace!
A very iconic view.
There is still another palace to see, the Palace of the Lions! But that is for next time as this post is already on the long side and we still haven’t seen the Generalife. I wasn’t kidding that the complex is absolutely massive.
Check out the second part of the Alhambra and Generalife of Granada!
or
Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
