The Alhambra

Granada and the Alhambra

While my brother was visiting me in Almerimar we took several day long land cruises in the car I rented while he was here. The highlight of those land cruises was the day we spent in Granada and the afternoon at the Alhambra. The pictures below are from that visit to the Alhambra.

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The most spectacular area of the Alhambra is the Palacios Nazaries, which were the palaces used by the Arab rulers of Granada. The picture on the right is the Patio de los Leones, which was part of the harem section of the palacios. This court yard is probably the image most people have when they think of Granada or the Alhambra.

This is a wider view of the Patio de los Leones, showing the fountain in the center decorated with stylized lions (hence the name).

This is the Patio de los Arrayanes (Patio of the Myrtles).

I do not know the name of this courtyard. I regret we didn't purchase on of the head sets available for a recorded tour or at least buy a description of this palace so I could have recorded where I was on each picture.

This I believe is the Mirador de Daraxa, a garden courtyard added after the Christian re-conquest of Granada.

This is a view of a portion of the Palacios Nazaries from the Alcazaba. The Alcazaba was the fort that protected the Alhambra.

This is the Torre de la Vela in the Alcazaba.

The picture on the left and below are of the Palacio de Carlos V, the construction of which was begun in the 16th Century but apparently never completed. Its massive stone construction is in start contrast to the delicate style of the original Moorish part to the Alhambra.

The circular courtyard in the center of the Palacio de Carlos V is used for concerts.

Between the entrance to the Alhambra and the Alacazaba and the Palacios Nazaries is a long walk past these apparent ruins and the gardens shown below. None of the guides I have for the Alhambra explain the source of these ruins. I guess they were part of the governmental city that was the Alhambra.

Jeff, strolling through the gardens leading to the main part of the Alhambra.

Since the Alhambra is sited well above the city of Granada, the ramparts of the Alcazaba provide a spectacular view of the city. This is the Cathedral of Granada. Jeff and I visited the cathedral before we drove up to the Alhambra. To me it is much more spectacular from the vantage point, than on the streets surrounding it.

More views of the city of Granada from the Alcazaba.