Granada the El Hambra Palace, the Eight Wonder of the World

catherine · Joined: 10 Mar 2005 Posts: 21

If you only have time to see one sight in Granada, head for the city's main attraction, the marvelous Alhambra and its adjoining Generalife gardens. Many regard the building as the eighth wonder of the world. The Alhambra complex is made up of three separate parts: the fortress, the palaces and the gardens attached to the summer palace. In 1238, an Arab prince, Ibn Ahmar, of the Nasrid tribe established Granada as an independent Moorish state and rebuilt the existing fortress on this hill at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Arabs called it al-Hamra, the red fort, after the ochre coloured walls. The Nasrid dynasty expanded and beautified their hill settlement over their following 250-year rule.

Start from Plaza Nueva and go up the Cuesta de Gomerez, past all the budget guest houses, souvenir shops, guitar makers and craft shops, to Granada Gate. Walk through and turn right to see the Red Towers. Or turn left through the tree-lined avenue to reach one of the main entrances, the Justice Gate. This tower gateway features the Muslim symbols of a key and an outstretched hand, carved in marble. The five fingers symbolize the five precepts of the Koran. Once through the gate you reach the Jardín de los Adarves (Adarves Garden) that leads in turn to the Fortress. This was the Nasrid military headquarters. Past the central patio (Plaza de las Armas), you'll see an Arab bathhouse, living quarters, stables and dungeons. Climb up the steps to the defensive walls and towers for the fantastic views over the neighbouring Albayzín and Sacromonte districts.

The second part of the complex is the Royal Palace, which is made up of a number of brilliantly designed and decorated function rooms and courtyards that were used by the Muslim rulers for different purposes. To get here, you have to leave the fortress and follow the signs for the Nasrid Palaces. The first series of rooms, the Mexuar Palace, were used for business meetings and dispensing justice. From here you enter the Sala del Trono, or throne room, where the sultan made his most important decisions as military commander-in-chief. This room opens out onto the Patio de los Arrayanes (myrtles) with its large central pool, which in turn connects with the famous Patio of the Lions and the heart of the harem section. It was here that the rulers lived, in the Palace of the Lions, a series of rooms including the Sala de los Mocárabes, Sala de los Reyes, Sala de los Abencerrajes and Sala de dos Hermanas. After being mesmerized by the intricate beauty of the palaces, the next stage is to relax and wander through the sultan's luxuriant landscaped gardens and summer residence, together called the Generalife.

The Alhambra complex houses some other impressive buildings of a later date that were built after the Arabs were defeated and expelled from the region by the incoming Christian rulers. The massive bulk of the Renaissance-style Carlos V's Palace stands in stark contrast to the delicate Moorish Royal Palaces next door. The San Francisco Parador was once a mosque, then a monastery and is now a wonderful four-star hotel. The Santa María Church is also worth a look.

The whole of the Alhambra hill is covered in large leafy trees and it's pleasant to walk around here, especially in summer, to get some cool and shade. Head for the huge Hotel Alhambra Palace and walk below it, along the Paseo de los Coches, down to the Campo del Príncipe square, heart of the Realejo district. This square has lots of bars and restaurants where you can sit outside to enjoy a drink or a meal. The Realejo was the city's Jewish quarter until their expulsion from Spain in the late 15th century. The old whitewashed houses and narrow, mysterious streets give it a special charm.
Catherine