Spain > The Alhambra of Granada

Today I am visiting the Alhambra Palace in Granada. For me, this is one of the highlights of the entire trip. The fortress was founded in the 9th century on a rocky outcrop above the city of Granada. Later it was expanded, and in the 13th century the Moorish palaces were added. We take the bus early in the morning to the Alhambra. We have a timed entry slot at half past eight. At the entrance, we meet Arjen, a Dutch guide who will lead us through the complex. Ticket control is strict; passports are scanned. Tickets for the palace often sell out months in advance, as they want to prevent resale. As we enter the complex, Arjen explains the history. Granada was an important city during Moorish rule. Various sultans had the walled fortress built here. The palaces were decorated with intricate stucco work, calligraphy, and beautiful inner courtyards.

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They also made ingenious use of mountain water, which flows throughout the entire complex. After the conquest by Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, the Moors were expelled. The Alhambra became a Christian complex. Their grandson, the future Emperor Charles V, later had his own palace built in the middle of the complex. However, it is especially the old Moorish palaces that are the most remarkable. The details in the wall decorations, the carved wooden ceilings, and the views through archways are stunning. Personally, I find the Court of the Lions the most beautiful: a courtyard with decorated columns and a fountain with lions in the center. We end the tour with a visit to the gardens of the Alhambra and the nearby Generalife summer palace.

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The gardens here are beautifully designed and maintained. Around noon, we are back outside. What an incredible experience. We say goodbye to guide Arjen. With the group, we descend to Plaza Nueva in the city center of Granada, where the streets are lively and filled with terraces. This morning it was still quite cool at around ten degrees, but now the sun has warmed things up nicely. Thanks to its altitude of 650 meters, Granada has a pleasant climate even in summer. On a terrace, we have lunch. I choose a salmon sandwich and fries. Tonight, I will attend a flamenco performance, so there is no time for an extensive dinner—lunch needs to be substantial. After lunch, we visit the Royal Chapel, where Isabella and Ferdinand are buried. The chapel is attached to the cathedral. Before entering the cathedral, we first visit the Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario, located right next to it.

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This church was built in the 16th century on the site of the former main mosque. The interior is richly decorated with artworks, chapels, and religious ornaments. Particularly striking is the main altar, featuring detailed wood carvings. Although this church is beautiful, the Cathedral of Granada is even more impressive and significantly larger. It features tall columns, elegant arches, and a magnificent main altar designed like a circular chapel. The richness and golden decorations are clearly visible, giving the cathedral a striking appearance with its white and gold tones.

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By four o’clock, we walk back to the hotel. I pick up a snack from a supermarket for later and lie down on my bed. I set my alarm to make sure I won’t be late for the flamenco show tonight. Around quarter to nine, we are picked up and taken by minibus to the small flamenco theatre near the Alhambra. The venue holds about eighty people. In addition to our group, there are two other tour groups present. On stage, flamenco dancing is performed accompanied by singing. It is astonishing how rhythmically the performers can clap their hands and how fast their feet strike the floor. It is a spectacular performance. After about an hour, we are driven back to the hotel.

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