In the city of Granada, southern Spain, the most spectacular place has to be Alhambra – a palace and fortress complex built sometime during the 14th century by the Moors who were the rulers of Andalusia at that time. It is beautifully situated on a hilltop overlooking the city of Granada. When you are in downtown Grandada, you can sit on an outdoor cafe and take in this beautiful view up to the fortificated walls of Alhambra. A well preserved monument of Islamic architecture. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is probably the most visited tourist attraction in all of Spain.
The entrance is through the Gate of Justice. A masive gate with thick walls. The whole complex with palaces, gardens, courtyards, pools and fountains are
The building of the fort started in 1238 by the first emir of Andalusia. Then in the 14th century the Royal palaces were designed. They still look more or less like we see them today. Charles V introduced a new Renaissance style in 1526. The palace called Palace of Charles V is round and to me it seems it looks Roman in style. Almost like Colosseum in Rome.
This is Moorish architecture at its best. You will see mosaics and Arabic inscriptions inside the palaces. The courtyards contains pools and fountains. When we go through the Nasrid palaces, we start at one end and follow the same direction to the opposite end and out into the gardens. One room replaces the other. Fantastic carvings on the walls and ceiling. The Palace of the Lions has this beautiful fountain of lions.
Alhambra was a city within the city (Granada) Those who lived here were self-contained. The complex had everything. A friday mosque, public baths / hammons, just like any other Muslim city. Roads, workshops and Generalife which funtioned as the summer palace. They didn't have to travel far outside the complex. A beautiful place that should not be missed on a visit to southern Spain.
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