Granada y La Alhmabra

I went to Granada this past weekend with my program and it is another truly amazing city. I don't think it's impossible for southern Spain to disappoint in the scenery department. 

Granada was the last Muslim stronghold left in Spain and the Muslim influence is still seen in the cities arches and eclectic side streets.  La Alhambra is the city's biggest claim to fame. It is a walled city with Granada that housed royalty. Built on a high hill for better protection, the Alhambra has a 2 mile wall surrounding it, complete with 13 lookout towers. 

The rest of Granada was built in sections. The old city is likewise built higher on the hill (for protection purposes) and it beautiful. Tiny, twisty, narrow streets lead you down hills and staircases until you usually end up at a church or a cafe. 

In the lower part (a.k.a. newer part) of Granada is the current city center. We went to a tea shop here with a very Moroccan feel then went back to the same area later at night to hit up some tapas bar. The streets were full of soccer fans as one of Sevilla's 2 teams played against Granada this week. It was a great weekend and it makes me look forward to exploring this region even more. Love and miss you all! ~At

The welcoming gardens of La Alhambra. Our guide said there is always an easy way to tell if you are entering a muslin garden - the sound of water.  They wanted their gardens to resemble heaven on earth. Flowers, fruit trees, and fountains are in abundance here!

A view of Granada from La Alhambra

A terrace within Generalife (the summer castle) of La Alhambra

Washington Irving - He wrote a book named Stories of La Alhmabra. He lived here in Granada for a while and wrote stories he heard and legends of the area. I look forward to reading it when I am back stateside.

A view of La Alhambra from our walk through Old Granada

There are 3 of these iron doors connected to the oldest churches in Granada. At one point they were the only place to get fresh water in the city.

An eccletic street in new Granada, right of the city square's plaza. It is an interesting mix of Arabic tea shops, tapas bars, and street stores with knick knacks and colorful clothing and overprice leather purses (I bartered one down 10 euro, but ended up not getting it anyway...)

Gypsy caves are carved into the mountain sides. easily visible from the road, some still look inhabited with brightly decorated doors and potted plants in the "yard"  - thanks for the heads up about these Aunt Marty!!

The Sierra Nevadas  - apparently there is some pretty epic snowboarding/skiing here!

One last look at the beautiful city from atop of the Alhambra

Ps. I know that commenting on this blog seems to be the most impossible thing to do ever. So, if you do want to tell me anything, feel free to email me :)  I love getting emails so please don't be shy!  atkempf@indiana.edu