martes, 27 de julio de 2010

SPAIN: ALHAMBRA DE GRANADA


Probably Granada is known internationally thanks to La Alhambra de Granada. And I can confirm that the reputation of this great Arabian palace is deserved. La Alhambra de Granada is a spectacular monument, one of the most beautiful places I've seen, with a level of detail in the decoration almost unbelievable.

Alhambra de Granada from the Albaicin
La Alhambra de Granada lit at night, one of the most beautiful memories of Granada


Inside La Alhambra de Granada I visited the following fantastic places. What I liked the most, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens.

  • Arab bath or Hammam 
  • Mexuar room in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Arrayanes courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Tower of Comares in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Lions courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Partal Palace in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Palace of Carlos V 
  • Views of Granada and Albaícin from La Alcazaba 
  • Generalife Gardens


La Alhambra



Arab bath or hammam inside La Alhambra de Granada
Arab bath or hammam inside La Alhambra de Granada and near the Palace of Carlos V

Arab bath inside La Alhambra de Granada
I became a bit impressed when I look at the ceiling of this baths in La Alhambra, where I saw this star-shaped apertures 


Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaríes)


Mexuar room in La Alhambra de Granada
Eventually, at ten o'clock we entered the Nazari Palace, the treasure of La Alhambra de Granada. In this picture, the Mexuar room, with this impressing wall highly decorated. Here the Sultan listened to the requests of his subjects



Detail of Mexuar Room in La Alhambra de Granada


Highly decorated Column in La Alhambra de Granada near Mexuar Room


Arrayanes courtyard in La Alhambra de Granada
The Nasrid Palaces in La Alhambra de Granada where built around courtyards with fountains and ponds because water was a really important element in muslim culture. The Arrayanes courtyard was the largest one and its pond reflects the light to the adjacent rooms

Tower of Comares in La Alhambra de Granada
Another view of the Arrayanes courtyard with the tower of Comares in the background and the arab columns reflected on the water



Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada
Highly decorated ceiling of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada


Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de GranadaDecoration of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada


Dos Hermanas Room in Alhambra de Granada
Highly decorated ceiling of Dos Hermanas Room in Alhambra de Granada


Lions courtyard in La Alhambra de Granada
Unfortunately the Lions courtyard, one of the treasures of La Alhambra de Granada was absolutely in restoration, so I was a bit disappointed. Obviously this picture is a photo of a photo


Alhambra de Granada
A closer view of the lions in La Alhambra de Granada


Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada
Partal Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings of La Alhambra de Granada, reflected on the water

Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada

Another part of the Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada


Partal Palace in La Alhambra
Gardens inside La Alhambra de Granada, near the Partal Palace


Palace of Carlos V



Palace of Carlos V in La Alhambra de Granada
The circular courtyard of this palace inside La Alhambra surprises me a bit. It was circular because, this way, it was more suitable for the entertainment shows which took place here since the visibility of the audience was better

Palace of Carlos V in La Alhambra de Granada
Another picture of this circular courtyard



Views of Granada from La Alcazaba



Albaicin from La Alhambra de Granada
I found really interesting the views of Granada from La Alcazaba of La Alhambra. Here, a beautiful view of the Albaicín. On the top, a church indicates the San Nicolás viewpoint


Granada from La Alhambra
This view of Granada from La Alhambra shows the cathedral and, on the bottom, the New square

Albaicín from La Alhambra de Granada
Another great view of Granada: the Albaicín from the Vela Tower of La Alhambra


Alhambra de Granada from the Albaicin
View of Sierra Nevada behind the Nasrid Palace and the Palace of Carlos V of La Alhambra  de Granada from the Albaicín


Generalife Gardens



From the north side of the Alhambra a path leads us to The Generalife, the summer residence of the sultans.

Acequia courtyard in Generalife Gardens
The Acequia courtyard is an oriental garden built around a long central canal. Always the water plays an essential role in Alhambra and Generalilfe courtyards

Generalife gardens in Granada
This courtyard of El Generalife, unlike the ones of La Alhambra, is covered with vegetation

Generalife gardens in Granada
Typical columns of Nasrid arquitecture also in Generalife Gardens

Generalife gardens in Granada
The courtyard of the Sultaness in Generalife Gardens of Granada was the place where Zoraya met her lover

Generalife gardens in Granada
Another view of this beautiful courtyard of Generalife Gardens



Finally, some beautiful pictures of La Alhambra de Granada lit at night:


Alhambra de Granada lit at night
When the sunlight began to disappear the spectacle of light started, as you can see in this picture of La Alhambra of Granada



Alhambra de Granada lit at night
The view of La Alhambra de Granada under the moonlight was spectacular



Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of Granada, El Albaicín and Sacromonte Caves:




Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:


- Catalonia

- Basque Country

- Cantabria


- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

1 comentario:

Erdal dijo...

Hi,

i've found your blog while i was looking for traveling places in Granada. Fantastic pics!
I'm writing from Germany and would like to travel to Granada in the next two weeks. So, i would like ask you some questions if it is possible?? Would be great! Maybe you can answer me via Email: mcerdosch@gmx.de. I would call you then. Thank you and best regards! Erdal