Granada.....home of the Alhambra Palce

 

 

Granada, another city in the Andalusian region of Spain is also filled with history, beautiful landscape and of course the famous "Alhambra Palace".

 

The town center in Granada is full of little bars selling tapas, the food of the Spaniards.

 In Spain most meals are eaten as tapas or small plates, where small portions of delicious Spanish food is served.  It gives you an opportunity to try many different types of delicacies this way, while you are drinking sangria, vino tinto (red wine) or a caña (beer).

As in most of the old towns of Spain, the streets are cobblestone and not easy to walk on but they are so quaint and pretty. There are many shops, businesses and of course tapa bars. Another opportunity to try a different tapa! Awesome !

We finally get to the Alhambra situated on the northwest side of Granada.
The Palace was first built as a fortress in the 9th century, later renovated to its current walls in the 11th century and  then became the royal palace in 1333 by the Sultan of Granada, 

The palace and gardens were built on different levels and designed so that water runs throughout the palace through channels and fountains, beautiful column arcades and reflecting pools. The palace is called a "pearl set in emerald"  because of the white of the building surrounded by the magnificent lush green gardens. The court of the lions and fountain was one of my favorite places in the place. There are rooms and courtyards throughout the buildings and each one is as beautiful as the other. 
 In addition, the decoration on the walls are in the Arabic style of geometrical patterns wrought into arabesques.  Beautiful...(I keep saying beautiful but it simply is!) tiles in blue, yellow and reds panel the walls and columns too.

I had been waiting anxiously to see the Alhambra as I had read about it and seen documentaries on it.  I have to say that perhaps because my expectations were so high that although it was definitely unique and beautiful, I found that I liked the palace in Sevilla more.
The pictures you see here will show you how stunning the place is and if you ever are in the Andalusian region of Spain, you should pay both places a visit and see which is your favorite.

Looking forward to tomorrow's day where we will go to an olive farm and see how olive oil is made and to learn how to distinguish extra virgin olive oil from regular olive oil.

Hasta mañana !

Traveling Redheaded Lady