The magnificent ALHAMBRA PALACE & CITADEL in GRANADA, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN
The visit to the much acclaimed ALHAMBRA PALACE AND CITADEL, arguably, the finest instantiation of Moorish architecture in the World, was the fulfillment of an aspiration and a bucket list milestone from over a decade!
The Alhambra, is perched on a hill between Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Built by Spain’s ruling Moors more than 600 years ago, this gorgeous palace-fortress is regarded as one of the world’s finest examples of Islamic architecture and was used as a royal court and residence.
In its dreamy hilltop setting, the lush landscape of the Alhambra in Granada was perceived as “heaven on earth” for the Moors, who arrived here from the deserts of North Africa – today’s Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. With the snowcapped Sierra Nevada Mountains as a backdrop, freshwater flowing from the Río Genil became a symbol of abundance. The Alhambra is an oasis - idyllic surroundings for the lavish Moorish palaces. Known in Arabic as Medinat al-Hamra, the ''Red City,'' because of the color of the stone buildings, the Alhambra is spectacular and breathtaking, especially in a Spanish context. This citadel, with its complex of palaces, is the most important monument of Andalusia. The opulently decorated rooms and serene courtyards represent the finest achievements of Moorish art and architecture in the world.
The Alhambra comprises the three Palacios Nazaries, built for Mohammed ben Al-Hamar in the 13th century, and home of the Nasrid Dynasty of Sultans (from today’s Syria) until the 15th century. These splendid Nasrid Palaces epitomize the beauty of Islamic architecture and are the magnum opei of the Alhambra, their exquisite interiors filled with lavish Islamic tiling and ornately decorative stucco work. Beautifully laid out in three sections, the Palacios Nazaries are made up of the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Palacio de Comares (Palace of Ceremonial Rooms), and the Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions, which was the Sultan's private quarters). In each section, all the rooms open onto a central courtyard in typical Andalusian style.
The Alhambra is in demand all the year round from tourists visiting from all over the World. My humble suggestion would be to make your reservation online first, before you make your hotel and travel bookings.
Experiencing the Alhambra in person was indeed the fulfillment of a long cherished aspiration, but has also served to enhance the awe and respect I have for the artisans who built and sculpted by hand, the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and similar icons of the Mughal reign in India, that we celebrate to this day!
PLEASE CLICK THE 'PLAY' BUTTON TO ENJOY A SLIDE SHOW OF THE PHOTOS!
Read MoreThe Alhambra, is perched on a hill between Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains. Built by Spain’s ruling Moors more than 600 years ago, this gorgeous palace-fortress is regarded as one of the world’s finest examples of Islamic architecture and was used as a royal court and residence.
In its dreamy hilltop setting, the lush landscape of the Alhambra in Granada was perceived as “heaven on earth” for the Moors, who arrived here from the deserts of North Africa – today’s Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco. With the snowcapped Sierra Nevada Mountains as a backdrop, freshwater flowing from the Río Genil became a symbol of abundance. The Alhambra is an oasis - idyllic surroundings for the lavish Moorish palaces. Known in Arabic as Medinat al-Hamra, the ''Red City,'' because of the color of the stone buildings, the Alhambra is spectacular and breathtaking, especially in a Spanish context. This citadel, with its complex of palaces, is the most important monument of Andalusia. The opulently decorated rooms and serene courtyards represent the finest achievements of Moorish art and architecture in the world.
The Alhambra comprises the three Palacios Nazaries, built for Mohammed ben Al-Hamar in the 13th century, and home of the Nasrid Dynasty of Sultans (from today’s Syria) until the 15th century. These splendid Nasrid Palaces epitomize the beauty of Islamic architecture and are the magnum opei of the Alhambra, their exquisite interiors filled with lavish Islamic tiling and ornately decorative stucco work. Beautifully laid out in three sections, the Palacios Nazaries are made up of the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Palacio de Comares (Palace of Ceremonial Rooms), and the Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions, which was the Sultan's private quarters). In each section, all the rooms open onto a central courtyard in typical Andalusian style.
The Alhambra is in demand all the year round from tourists visiting from all over the World. My humble suggestion would be to make your reservation online first, before you make your hotel and travel bookings.
Experiencing the Alhambra in person was indeed the fulfillment of a long cherished aspiration, but has also served to enhance the awe and respect I have for the artisans who built and sculpted by hand, the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra and similar icons of the Mughal reign in India, that we celebrate to this day!
PLEASE CLICK THE 'PLAY' BUTTON TO ENJOY A SLIDE SHOW OF THE PHOTOS!