There’s nothing to see in Granada. So said a Dutch friend as he steered us instead down from our mountain hideaway high up in the Andalusian mountains to the beaches of Malaga.
Being a displaced Australian, Spanish beach resorts don’t do it quite the same for me as they do it for the Dutch.
Fortunately, I have a couple of Belgian friends who know that there are actually good things to see and do in Granada and so I found myself at the mighty fortress of Alhambra.
For the detailed version of the history of this amazing place, check out the wikipedia entry. The short version is that it was a fortress and palace used by the Muslim rulers of Granada from the 9th century AD until the 15th century when the Spanish Christians finally reconquered all of Spain.
The fortress is situated on the hills overlooking Granada, giving magnificent views of the city from the battlements.
Apart from the imposing walls and battlements, the complex consists of some wonderful buildings that are exquisitely decorated in the Muslim styles of the various times of construction. The site also dotted with beautiful gardens and outside the walls of the fortress are English elms of all things, planted by the Duke of Wellington in 1812 around the time of the Napoleonic wars.
The palace and its surrounds are absolutely breathtaking – and sprawling too. I’m not sure of size of the complex, but I’m estimating we walked at least a couple of kilometres around the site and I’m not sure we saw all there was to see.
It cost us 7 Euros each to get in and, strangely enough we had to show our passports. I don’t know if this is standard, but it’s a good idea to be forewarned of this if you are intending to go.
Granada itself is located about a hundred kilometres from Malaga, so it isn’t exactly something you just visit on a whim. Having said that, it is a UNESCO world heritage listed site, so it truly is a treasure and worth seeing if you have an opportunity.
Anyway, pictures tell a thousand words and do a better job than I ever could of describing the site. Of course, not even pictures can truly capture the grandeur and majesty of the place. You need to be there. If you do go, prepare to be awed.
