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Granada

alhambra-s.jpg (9860 bytes)
The Alhambra
After spending two days in Toledo, we really didn't want to leave, but we were on a timetable to get to France by May day. So, having heard that the Alhambra was an absolute don't-miss, we figured we'd skip some of the battlefields we had planned to see and catch the overnight train down to Granada. We arrived early in the morning and went straight up the hill to the Alhambra. We were surprised to get in so easily -- we'd heard it was nigh on impossible. The ticket you get is timestamped -- you've got a half hour window to go inside the main Palacio. The trick it seems is to get there at 9am (when we came out of the main Palacio at 1pm they were selling tickets which wouldn't let you in till 5.30pm).

Whatever, the reports were accurate: the Alhambra was the most beautiful, romantic place we'd ever been. Although it was cold for our idea of Spring, the flowers were in full bloom and the sunshine was glorious.

Palacio archway The entirety of the Palacio Nazieres interior is made of intricately patterned marble. Click on any of the pictures for a larger version where you can see the detail properly.

 
Palacio Nazieres Palacio Nazieres doorway
 
courtyard

The walls of the Courtyard of Lions...

...and the twelve lions themselves, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
(below, no closeup on this one)

  
lions star room
 
bedroom

The beautiful star room (above).

Reflections on the floor from a beautiful carved window in the Sultan's bedroom...

  
And this is a window...
window

 

 
  

 

more of the Alhambra...

| ©2004 Rosanne Bersten |