• Europe 2022 - 2023
    The reflecting pool of the Nasrid Palace
    Porticoes of the Nasrid Palace1One of the main gates of the AlhambraPalace of Charles V2Patio de Los Leones or the Court of the Lions1Other side of the Reflecting PoolOne of the Rooms of the Nasrid PalaceA hallway of the Nasrid Palace1A wall of the Madrid Palace. In the lower left is a close up of the decoration1A painted ceiling added by the Christian Monarchs2Moorish arches and plaster ceilingCourt of the Lions2Close up on the lion fountainA busted ceiling added by the Christians3Emily walking through the gardens off the Convent of San Francisco in the AlhambraPicture from the public area of the Alhambra during the dayA public fountain1Granada at night2A close up of the walls in a throne room of the Emirs. It should be Arabic saying God is GreatVideo showing how 3D the decorations are

    Alhambra, Granada, Spain

    March 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    The Alhambra was an authentic walled city built by the Nasrid Kings of Granada, in the last period of Muslim domination in Spain. The palace itself was a walled city to help defend against any invaders. It was a Muslim stronghold secured in the 8th century by the Moorish who originally came from Syria via Morrocco. They secured the southern half of Spain taking it from the Visigoths at the time. They settled in Granada as well as many other cities in southern spain now known as Al-Anduluce. Today the Alhambra is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Spain. We did a night tour which was fabulous and we enjoyed a long walk up to get to the Alhambra which sits atop a hill. We went through and toured the 3 main palaces which were elaborated upon one nicer than the other over time. This palace housed over twenty sultans. At the time the palace was not always a safe place to live. Attire covered everything but the eyes and it was impossible to tell whom you were speaking to. It created a dynamic of mistrust and sultans were in constant fear of being killed off only to be replaced. That being said the Alhambra was a peaceful and solitary feel.

    We visited the Alhambra as a "Night tour." We hadn't done one of these before and some of the lighting effects they curated were very pretty. Not sure if we'll do it again though.

    Photosphere of one of the Alhambra rooms.
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/vcrvFPT1798DvUyp6    Read more