Thursday, November 23, 2017

1985 (5) - Granada and The Alhambra

The Alhambra, Granada, Spain

To go to the beginning of this book, Tropic Moon: Memories, click HERE.

For us, Granada was the main point of the trip.  Our three days there turned out to be well worth the wait.  Located in a mountainous region of great beauty, the lands, which once attracted Moorish sultans, now beckon skiers who flock to the popular resorts of the nearby Sierra Nevada.  But the true attraction of Granada is the Alhambra, a palatine city that stands on a hill above Granada like an Acropolis, defended by a series of towers and walls. 

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C'mon, Ed.  Smile!  It won't kill you....

Cumulative history was evident at the Alhambra, starting with a military fortress from the 9th century, and beautiful palaces built by the sultans of the Muslim dynasty, which ran from the 13th to the 15th centuries.  When Ferdinand and Isabella, Spain's first Catholic rulers, defeated the Moors, they moved into the Moorish palaces, combined them, and built chapels and the like.  When Charles V came along in 1526, he found the facade too unimposing for his tastes, and added a rather incongruous Renaissance palace.  

The Courtyard of the Lions is the main courtyard of the Nasrid dynasty
Palace of the Lions, in the heart of the Alhambra, the Moorish citadel
formed by a complex of palaces, gardens and forts in Granada, Spain.
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But it was the Moorish influence that dominated, with pillars, arched gates and passageways, and lovely stucco artwork in intricate geometric patterns covering the interior walls.  Gardens of great beauty, courtyards with reflecting pools and spraying fountains, surrounded by masses of blooming roses greeted the eye at every turn, and enhanced the view from every window.  While we had a lot of competition from tour groups while we were viewing the palace, by late afternoon things had quieted down considerably.  We did a little peaceful contemplation in the rose gardens of the Generalife, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks ranged behind us, and the city of Granada, the view framed by arches and palm trees, nestled below.  

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After our time in Granada, a bus ride returned us to Almerimar and Tropic Moon.


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