Our ship docked in Cartagena Spain yesterday but we decided to take the day off. If we’ve been to a city before, we are trying to stay on board because there are so many more points of interest we have coming up. Chuck said, “We are saving our steps”.
We have been to Malaga, Spain before but it was in 2019 when we flew here and then drove to the city of Benalmadena to start our around the world tour. We didn’t see much then and wanted to explore more. The mistake we made was not doing enough research and choosing to see Alhambra in Granada, missing out on a lot to see in the city of Malaga itself. It didn’t turn out to be a favorite place however it has an interesting story.
Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex located about an hours drive from Malaga, Spain. This wasn’t just any palace, this was an expansive citadel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The story of Alhambra began as a military base in the 13th century. Mohammed I, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, laid the groundwork. Over time, it transformed into a royal palace and court, a symbol of Nasrid power.
It flourished under Nasrid rulers like Yusuf I and Muhammed V. They built the stunning Comares Gate, Baths, and the iconic Hall of Lions, famed for its intricate fountain and 12 surrounding lions. Delicate plasterwork, (not marble as we’ve seen most everywhere else) colorful tiles, and serene courtyards adorned the palaces, reflecting Islamic artistry. It was amazing to see.
The tides turned in 1492. Granada fell to the Christian monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. So the Alhambra became a Christian court, with later additions like a church and monastery.
This fortified complex, perched on top of a hill is all decked out in these amazing reddish-brown tones.
Alhambra itself is actually made up of several parts, each with its own story to tell. Hopefully I can decipher enough of my notes to tell that story.
There are three main areas: Palaces, Gardens and Forts.
Alcazaba, the oldest part are the forts, ruins, thick walls and military vibes.
Nasrid Palaces are all about royalty and they are extravagant. The Palace of Comares, with its stunning dome, and the filigree decorations in the Hall of the Two Sisters are beautiful.
And finally, the Generalife Gardens. Alhambra wasn’t just about buildings, it was also about living in style. The Generalife Gardens are a haven of peace and tranquility, with water features, more flowers than I can count and those gorgeous Moorish arches framing the views.
There were so many different rooms that went from Moroccan Arabic to Spaniard Christian style. It was interesting to see stained glass windows and paintings mixed within the arabic writings and moorish doorways.
Granada itself has 232,000 people. A small town in comparison to the 3 million visitors to Alhambra per year. It’s definitely a large tourist attraction among a very diverse group of people. Again I wouldn’t choose to visit again however I’m not disappointed we spent the day here. It was interesting.
Tomorrow we leave for an overnight trip in Morocco!
May God Bless you always!
Chuck and Lea Ann
WorldTravelReynolds 