I just got back from the USAC trip to Granada, Spain. Some background for people who don't know the significance of this city :) In 711 the Muslims invaded Spain and they centered their empire in Southern Spain. The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Islamic historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. Our hotel was in the center of the city which made it very easy to get around and find where we needed to go. On Friday we had a walking tour and saw some of the main buildings and locations that would help us find our way back. We got our first glimpses of the Alhambra the huge Muslim palace that was then inherited by the Christian kings when they reconquered Granada in 1492. After the walking tour we went back to the hotel got dinner of pita and then went out for an hour before decided we should go to bed cause we were going to visit the Alhambra on Saturday.
Like I just said Saturday we went to the Alhambra the highlight of history in Granada. The Alhambra consists of three parts, the Gardens of Generalife, the fortress and the royal palace. The inspiration for the Gardens is supposed to be the description of Paradise found in the Koran. Lots of running water and shaded areas, with plants and flowers of all kinds growing everywhere. This was appealing to the rulers when we remember their history of living in hot deserts. You walk through the gardens and you arrive at the old summer house of the rulers of the Alhambra. In this house is one of the very iconic views of the Alhambra.
These fountains and the flowing water are the center of the patio and created a soothing sound for the inhabitants of this house. There is arguement over when the arching fountains were added, before or after 1492. Here are a few more pictures from this part of the Alhambra.
The Second part of the Alhambra that we visited was the Fortress. At one point it was home to many soldiers and army men helping to protect the Alhambra. The Moorish portion of the Alhambra includes the Alcazaba, or citadel, which is the oldest part—only its massive outer walls, towers, and ramparts are left. The watch tower or "Torre de la Vela" is where they used to keep a look out and where they still house the old bell. Today it provides us with beautiful views of Granada and of the surrounding mountains. It is still tradition that says on January 2nd every year (the date that the Catholic Monarchs took the city from the Muslims) any young women who is single and that strikes the bell will get married by the end of the year. At the base of the tower they have done an archeological excavation and uncovered what appears to be ancient barracks and they have reconstructed what they believe to be the walls of the houses. Here are photos of this part of the Alhambra:
The third and final part of the Alhambra is the Royal Palace. Built by king Mohammed ben Al-Hamar (Mohammed I) he was the first of the family to live in the Alcazaba. There was no talk of building the second palace until Mohammed V, he extended large parts and then also built on an entire new wing to the royal palaces located at the Alhambra. In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella placed people in power in this house as well and that began the changes and the mixing of Arabic and Christian decorations. The Palaces are decorated in the baroque style with every inch of original wall covered in intricate carvings and writings from the Koran. Anything in the photos that has color is original and then the carvings in the wall are all original they are missing color because the paint has all come off over time but imagine all of the walls to be covered in extremely bright paint.
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