2009 Blogs

Here in Granada

05/22/2009

Granada, in the south, is where one can come across the longest lasting Muslim influence in Spain—almost eight centuries. Said influence finds its ultimate expression in the Alhambra (pictured above, in banner, and in inset photos).

The palace complex, immortalized by Washington Irving in his Tales of the Alhambra, was built under Nasrid rulers, the last Moorish dynasty of the Iberian Peninsula. Albaicín—a neighborhood of Granada with its cobbled streets, Moorish villas and once the location of more than 30 mosques—is one more example of this Muslim influence.

Another highlight of Granada is the visit of the Royal Chapel where are buried Queen Isabella I of Castile and Leon and King Ferdinand II of Aragon; the Catholic Monarchs who would initiate the unification process of Spain as well as sponsor Christopher Columbus’ voyages to the Americas.