Granada, Day # 2 - Palaces at Alhambra

High on a hillside, the Alhambra is a grand and sprawling Moorish Palace, a complex of buildings and one of Europe's top sights. (8000 people a day visit!).

Fun fact: Christopher Columbus met the King and Queen here in 1492 to get approval and financing for his voyages. The Catholic monarchs had just conquered the area and moved into the palaces of the former Islamic kingdom.

The ornate, heavily decorated 14th century Palacios Nazaries have royal offices and ceremonial rooms, all adjoined by courtyards and gardens. The elaborate walls and doorways are made of CARVED stone details which are actually arabic script - poetry and religious verses - but carved in stone on the walls!Read more