Alhambra in Granada

by rathbone1200cc

Though I’m only posting this now, I was in Alhambra on March 24.

The singular Alhambra is the Moorish palace and military complex that rises on a hill above Granada.  A walk through the place is a walk through history.

Alhambra reached the the height of its historical significance in the notable year of 1492.  Granada, the city surrounding Alhambra, was the longest lasting Muslim stronghold in the Iberian peninsula. It was there, in Granada, in Alhambra, that the final Muslim Emirate of Al-Andalus handed over the keys (and all his authority) to the famous Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.  Viewed more broadly, This act completed the Christian Spanish “Reconquista” of land from the Muslims — ending centuries of religious and military conflict.  Finally, as if that year were not significant enough for Alhambra, it’s the same year that the world-changing Christopher Columbus visited the palace before setting sail and discovering the New World.

The palace is situated on a hill that rises above the city, and provides stunning views of the neighborhoods Sacromonte and Albayzin.  The elevation, the separation, helps the palace avoid the typical clashing anachronisms of bright lights, traffic, and litter that can diminish a historical location.

Walking through Alhambra imprinted my memory with a sense of amazement that will persist when many other details from my trip float away.  It was there that I first appreciated the depth of history that immersed me in Europe. Visiting Alhambra was a highlight of my trip.