La Alhambra Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains!

Sitting at the base of the 11,000 foot high Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Alhambra has stood guard over the city of Granada for centuries.  Mohammad I al-Ahmar the founder of the  Nasrid dynasty, started the construction on the Alhambra in 1238.  Other Sultans lived and rule there and added their own flares to the construction of Palace/Castle/Fort/Honeymoon suite! The honeymoon hide away was chosen for that purpose by Charles the V for his bride, Isabella in the early 1500's after the Spanish had taken control  from the last of the Nasrid Dynasty Sultans in in1492.  The snow covered Sierra Nevada mountains provided year-round running water to Granada and  the Alhambra ( not to mention some decent skiing I understand!)  Architectural styles were as different as round vs square night vs day,  in vs out, or Arab vs Christian!

The Sultans built round turrets on the walls....

The Catholic monarchs made theirs square!

The Sultan built this country house primarily for the horses and the garrison
that took care of them.  Although the gardens were beautiful,  the outside of
their buildings were fairly plain!

Compare this squared off, ornately decorated interior of the palace of Charles V

Even the present day  street light reflect the cubist
tendencies of the Catholic occupants of Granada!  

Inside of Charles V palace.....SURPRISE! It's round!

The pool in front of the Sultans Palace of Lions shows the plain exterior.

The interior is incredibly ornate !

  

This 12 lion fountain, a gift to the Sultan from a prominent  Jewish family,
represents the 12 tribes of Israel.   It makes an interesting commentary on
the Arab and Jew relations of the day. 

The balcony overlooks the queens gardens

 Washington Irving is credited with saving the Alhambra!
He discovered the abandoned palace in 1829 while
serving as Ambassador to Spain.  His book, "Tales of the Alhambra"
helped to bring the historical site to the worlds attention
and in 1870 it was declared a national Monument!

 This will be the last blog for a few months.  I am flying home in the morning.  The next installments will not be until June when I go the Ship the NCL DAWN which sails between Boston and Bermuda.
Thanks for letting my share my travels with you