Wow what a city, we had a great couple days.
On Sunday, David, Pam, Bert and I waited for the tour bus, we were on our way to Alhambra Palace.
Location of Alhambra within Spain
Alhambra (/ælˈhæmbrə/; Spanish: [aˈlambɾa]; Arabic: الْحَمْرَاء, [ʔælħæmˈɾˠɑːʔ], Al-Ḥamrā', lit. "the red one"),[a] the complete form of which was Calat Alhambra,[b] is a palace and fortress complex located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain. It was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-11th century by the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada, who built its current palace and walls. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.
Alhambra's Islamic palaces, as we know them today, were built for the last Muslim emirs in Spain and the court of the Nasrid dynasty. After the conquest of Granada by the Reyes Católicos ("Catholic Monarchs") in 1492, some portions were used by 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 buildings being occupied by squatters, Alhambra was rediscovered 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. Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the inspiration for many songs and stories.
Moorish poets described it as "a pearl set in emeralds," an allusion to the colour of its buildings and the woods around them.The palace complex was designed with the mountainous site in mind and many forms of technology were considered. The park (Alameda de la Alhambra), which is overgrown with wildflowers and grass in the spring, was planted by the Moors with roses, oranges, and myrtles; its most characteristic feature, however, is the dense wood of English elms brought by the Duke of Wellington in 1812. The park has a multitude of nightingales and is usually filled with the sound of running water from several fountains and cascades. These are supplied through a conduit 8 km (5.0 mi) long, which is connected with the Darro at the monastery of Jesus del Valle above Granada.
We had a great day there, very crowded and a little rushed but an indescribable place. Ornate, tiles of every colour, water pools and gardens that are amazing.
We caught the bus back to our hotel, David and Pam walked back. I was so tired I needed a nap but everyone else had a few drinks before dinner.
The next morning we decided to get the Wally Bus (tourist bus) that did a city tour, it took us back to Alhambra and then to the White Church or San Nicholas Church to get the view across the valley to Alhambra.
We had a lovely dinner at a special restaurant that overlooked the Alhambra.
Bert and his cousin David - having pre dinner drinks.
One of the very ornate walls within the Alhambra, there are walls and rooms of this type of ornate work.
We had a fantastic dinner. Very memorable and will be something that I will always remember very fondly.
