Alhambra

We caught a bus after breakfast to the main entrance. Very nice leafy area and Nancy said she'd likely prefer it to the historic centre if she was to come again....quick ride down the hill if you wanted to go to the touristy center on frequent bus 30 or 32. This is Spain's most visited site and we were soon to find out why - in summary a must see. We were not the only ones wanting to see it and we noted as we walked up that they listed that tickets were all sold out for the day (on line sales) although some walk ups seem to be having luck. Later Doug found out that the max they let in is 6600 per day. Torres Balba (1888-1960) is said to have done a lot to the conversation of this site and the concept of restoring or stabilizing to the status of the time period. Judging from the before 1920s and now, there has been a lot done to bring its amazing splendor back.

The Alhambra is a complex of several monuments, each of which will have its own posting to follow.
The complex was begun in 1238 by Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, the first Nasrid emir and founder of the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state of Al-Andalus.
Nasrid rulers continuously modified the site. especially in the 14th century during the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V. After the conclusion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492, the site became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella (where Christopher Columbus received royal endorsement for his expedition).Читать далее