Adventures of Beth and Dan: Oh!! The Alhambra!!

Our stop today is Malaga, Spain. Another lovely day with temperatures in the mid 70’s. The ship docked at 8 and we were off as quickly as we could get through security. We booked a shared tour on a big bus to see The Alhambra. Folks say if you come here you must see this and so we each paid 79 euros for the day trip which was a good price. Our guide was native and gave us information along the way. The Alhambra is in the city of Granada. It was basically a two hour drive to get there with a stop for a bathroom break and a snack. They say nothing in all of Spain compares to the wealth of architectural art found in the 14th century Alhambra. It is another UNESCO site. The tour involved a lot of walking with very little time for stopping. We were told to bring our passports with us and that there would be several checkpoints along the way where security could ask for them. Security was tight and guided lines were long. We had to weave in and out of locations waiting for groups to shift but the gardens and our guide were wonderful and he was extremely knowledgeable and proud of his heritage and the history of the area.

Here are some highlights and notes from the trip:

Malaga is the 5 th largest city in the country.

650000 inhabitants

Malaga is booming with new housing and apartment developments

We see as with many stops Bougainvillea, olive trees, oleander and Lantana. Things look dry here and we hear most places haven’t had much rain. Often we have seen cactus

We climb to a mountain pass and along the way we see cypress trees and a variety of others that make the landscape more interesting . The roads are good and our large bus comfortable. The terrain becomes hilly and spotted with white stucco homes. All the rivers run dry. The hiway was built in 1992. As they celebrated the discovery of America in this year they also rebuilt roads and made some great improvements. Now it is a divided four lane hiway.

Almond groves now become visible. They bloom in February and our guide says the hills are white with the flowers. Their almonds are used for cosmetics, oil and milk.

Properties are small here. Small farms. Barley wheat olives sesame seeds different vegetables. No bigger than 50 acres.

3000 years ago olive trees were brought here and were planted. The Phoenicians came with their hands and faces painted in red establishing many different villages and trading posts. They brought first donkeys and hens and their written alphabet.

Spain is largest olive oil producer in the world. 47%. Italy Greece Portugal Israel compete with them. Most production comes from the southern part of Spain. Black olives and green olives are the same. From same tree. Black olives just stay on the tree longer and are harvested later.

We enter into the very fertile valley where water from the Sierra Nevada Mountain range is used for crops growing everything you can imagine. The farms are clean and well taken care of. The area at one time was heavily covered in forest but in the early 1500’s they took the trees for ship building and left open land that is now fields.

Alhambra was part of the moors. Catholics took over with the Christian crusade of moors and Muslims.

Christians conquered much of Spain.

Alhambra is called the red castle because the first king had red hair. Castle of the red

Three different sections of the Alhambra were established and built.

Administration. Throne and then the Private apartment for the sultan and royal family

Three generations of sultans built it

But in 1526 there were chambers built to be able to escape should the need arise.

Bath houses were important. Men bathed in the morning and women and children in the afternoon. At least five public bathrooms houses were built. Bathing and soaking were very social experiences. Africa found a gateway through Spain. African moors had simple castles outside but ornate inside.

Most silk produced in Granada was sold to Italy

Granada was a rich area due to trade and crops.

The two most important Spanish words that will get you around Spain... vino and mass!! More wine!!

The Alhambra was deserted and left a a di Ed during the 18th century and not rediscovered or taken care of until the 19th century. It was initially a walled fortress or city and later became home to royalty.

It is still a well taken care of beautiful historical place. The magnificence of it can only be realized by visiting. The running water and fountains along with beautiful gardens and vistas will over take you

A view of the country as we travel up into the highlands to the Alhambra. Notice the olive trees in the distance and the dry field below.

Our guide ... we all have individual head sets so we can hear him as he speaks into a small microphone.

Part of the gardens with the fortress in view

This is how they trim many of the Cypress and huge junipers!!

Water features are everywhere with beautiful peaceful mirrored images

Yet another water feature always clean and gently flowing all done with no pumps!

Blooming colorful gardens manicured to perfection

One of the palaces that was never finished in side. The royal family ran out of money after years constructing the outside! The outside structure was an awesome wonder of craftsmanship and detail.

Inside the palace you see the huge courtyard which should have been covered with a roof but as they ran out of money it now stands like this!!

Inside the private royal residence this is a ceiling!

Original wood ceilings!!

Original tiles on the wall with the still brilliant colors from the 9th century or earlier!!!

Look at this original stone work!!! Can you imagine abandoning this site???

The massive wood doors to the palace.

A ceiling in the original moorish residence! The location of the spheres all means something. Above this ceiling which was extremely high was a false ceiling where the king could listen to what was being said below in secret and also where he could hide from intruders!

More beautiful reflections from the water features

A ceiling in the moorish residence which is still beautiful and colorful.

These were bath houses built in this shape with holes for light and steam to escape!!

More beauty and unusual architecture in the courtyard of the residence. With the lion fountain in the background

Closer view

Can you believe this ceiling??!!!