"A pearl set in emeralds" - La Alhambra palace

I spent the day at La Alhambra and every inch was incredible, detailed, perfectly symmetrical, iconic, and historical. Here are 5 facts and a ton of photos of this beautiful piece of Granada!

1. Some basic history: Spain was once ruled by Arabs and Muslims, and as such, the palace started off as a small fortress built in 899 but was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Mohamed Yusuf I, then the Sultan of Granada. 

 

English elms brought by the Duke of Wellington, 1812

 2. Through the centuries the palace saw many renovations, wars, new rulers, and millions of visitors. The fortress was originally controlled by a Nazari monarch then by his descendants Mohamed the II, III, and V, but was conquered by Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492.  In 1984 it was declared a UNESCO world heritage site and is the most popular tourist attraction in Spain! 

 3. La Alhambra is split into 4 sections: Alcazaba, The Generalife, Nasrid Palaces and Torres/Alhambra High. The above pictures are all from 'Generalife' which was originally constructed as a place for the monarchs to escape to for tranquility outside of official palace life. This intricate set of gardens, detailed hallways, small patios and stone stairwells were all so detailed and full of life, even in the cold winter months. 

 4. The royal palace has some of the most recognizable features of La Alhambra, including the ornate pools and fountains that are constructed around the private living areas of previous rulers. Even after the conquest by Catholic monarchs such as Carlos V, their renovations have maintainted the traditionally Muslim details and architecture. 

My favorite door of the Alhambra

Patio de los Leones

The detailed script on the right translates to "God is the only victor" 

5. The following photos are all taken from the tallest tower of La Alhambra, Torre de Vela, situated in the Alcazaba section. The view overlooks all of Granada, the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and looks down onto sections of the palace such as the Generalife gardens and the Palacios Nazaríes. It was absolutely breathtaking from up there, both because of its beauty and the cold! It was gorgeous to see the snow capped mountains, the homes and shops nestled into the hills, and the many colors of the valley all merged together into one historic panoramic view. 

Fun fact: there is a large bell on the top of the tower that used to be a home for soldiers, a way of telling time at night for farmers, and as a warning of danger for the townspeople. Now however it is the symbol of a historical tradition that if an unmarried woman of the city rings the bell on January 2nd, she will be married before the year ends...ring a ding ding!

This place holds an immense amount of history, and is one of the most impressive places I have ever visited. As each of the annual 2 million visitors I'm sure would tell you, it is certainly worth the trip. Add La Alhambra to your bucket list, and come visit me in Spain while you're at it!

With love and history,

Sarah Belle