Alhambra Palace
Moorish emperors of Andalusia constructed Alhambra in the 14th century on a hilltop overlooking Granada in southeast Spain as a palace and fortress designed to be “a paradise on earth.” This UNESCO site will treat you with its aromatic gardens, lively fountains, numerous reflecting pools, delicately carved columned arcades, tile works and views of the valley below.
Later it was here that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain granted Christopher Columbus his charter and funded his voyages of discovery.
The American Author Washington Irving lived there in the 1820’s and wrote his “Tales of the Alhambra” which went on to motivate the Spanish government to save and restore site.
As Irving wrote about the Court of Lions with its 124 white marble columns : “It is impossible to contemplate this scene, so perfectly Oriental, without feeling the early associations of Arabian romance, and almost expecting to see the white arm of some mysterious princess beckoning from the gallery, or some dark eye sparkling though the lattice. The abode of beauty is here as if had been inhabited but yesterday.”
Alhambra draws millions of visitors annually and entrance tickets are limited and time controlled. We suggest a visit in the spring or fall to avoid the summer crowds and the heat.