Trip to Spain and Portugal- Alhambra

Alhambra, palace and fortress of the Moorish monarchs of Granada, Spain was constructed on a plateau that overlooks the city of Granda, the Alhambra was built between 1238 and 1358, in the reigns of Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrig dynasty. Since its built, it has endured many hardships and have been rebuilt through the 21st century. Alhambra became a UNESCO site in 1984. 

The Alhambra sits on a mountainous location on Sabika Hill with sweeping views over Granada and the surrounding countryside.

The Alhambra is the world's last and greatest Moorish fortress. Every room is decorated top to bottom with carved wooden ceilings, scalloped stucco, patterned ceramic tiles, and filigree windows.

Patio del Mexuar

Courtyard of the Myrtles in the Nasrid Palace where a shimmering 150 foot pool reflects intricate plaster tracery of the gallery arches:

                                                              Palace of the Lions

The famous Lion Fountain in the Nasrid Palace:

Grand Hall of the Ambassadors: Domed ceiling of the Grand Hall of Ambassadors in the Nasrid Palace (The ceiling is extremely elaborate and suggests the complexity of the universe.  It was constructed using 8,000 small cedar wood pieces to make a delicate mosaic, which conjures the image of a star-scattered night sky:

                                         Details from the ceiling in the Hall of the Abencerrajes:

                                              Alhambra: Partal Palace: Torre de las Damas

One of the oldest parts inside the Alhambra is the Alcazaba fortress. Here is the arms square, the entrance to the Alcazaba:

                         Here are the view of Granada and the surrounding countryside:

                               

                                                              Grands and Gardens

Trip to Spain and Portugal- adventure to downtown Granada

 With no time to lose, we walked all the way from our Airbnb to the town for dinner.  The streets were narrow and mostly paved with cobble stones, and the stores along the way to reach more modern part of the town. By the time we reached our restaurant, it was dark, and Alhambra was then lit and on the top of the mountains in the background.

Alhambra on the top of the town at night

Trip to Spain and Portugal- (5) Granada, Spain-a glimpse of Alhambra

Arriving in Granada, Spain on our way to the Airbnb was adventurous.  The BB owner had to come out on his bike to direct us to his place with me on the phone to take down his instructions.  The streets were narrow, and we needed to pay extra attention to see the street signs which were not obvious, but we arrived at last.

Here are couple of photos I snapped of the Alhambra from the streets of Grandad and later after we settled down in our B&B and walked to a nearby Church, which is on top of the B&B.  And again, photos of the Alhambra from a church.

This photo gives a very good view of the town: