The City of Granada: The Alhambra- The Red Fortress

The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Palace and Fortress site which sits on an outcrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range above the city of Granada. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. The complex was begun in 1128 by Muhammad I ibn al-Ahmar, the first Nasrid emir and the founder of the Emirate of Granada. The Moors controlled this part of Spain until the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in1492, at which time the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. Over the centuries the site fell into disrepair with its buildings occupied by squatters. The Alhambra was one of the first Islamic monuments to become the object of modern scientific study and has been the subject of numerous restorations since the 19th century. The Generalife, the former summer palace and estate of Nasrid rulers with fantastic gardens, courtyards and fountains is also part of the Alhambra. Later Renaissance additions were the Palace of Charles V and the Church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra.

Our day at the Alhambra begun with a walk up the big hill. But the walk up was easy for the fit pilgrims and we spent the next 4 1/2 hours walking everywhere. The masonry work, the ceramic tile work, the craved plaster work are all extraordinary. What stood out the most to us though were the outstanding water features. They were many, maybe fifty plus, and they were so very calming and still flowing today.

The Alhambra is special and is truly the face of Ganada.