Granada
 

Glimpse of Granada | Catholic wonders | Night has fallen | The Nazrid Palaces | Alhambra | Alcazaba | Generalife | Mirador de San Nicola | Albaicin views | Central Granada | Flamenco nights

Alcazaba

Entering the Palace of Carlos V

 
Entrance of the Alcazaba
Buildings of Albaicin, with inner courtyards in Moorish style
   
Torre de la Vela
View of the Cathedral

 
View of the Inside of the Alcazaba
Features at the top of the Torre de la Vela
   
Children play on old cannons

The Palacio de Carlos V stands tall in front of me, an impressive building built under this famous Catholic king. However, it was never completed, and although its inner round court and colonnades are pleasant, it lacks the originality and refinement of the Nazrid palaces, and stands out oddly in contrast. I move on to the Plaza de las Aljibes, after having passed the imposing Puerta del Vino that greeted the merchants coming into the Alhambra. I now stand in front of the stronghold of Alcazaba, both a fortress and the military quarters. Its tall reddish walls seem impregnable, as do the massive corners towers, such as the Torre del Cubo. From there, the view onto the entire area is fantastic - I fear I will faint and fall, from still being drowsy and feverish, from not having eaten, and by the shear effect of vertigo.

Inside, the Barrio Castrense reveals the maze of what remains of all the barracks, at the foot of the Torre de la Vela, standing at the tip of the plateau to spearhead the defence of the entire citadel. Once again, the views are impressive, and I look in awe at the Catholic city centre, so different from the old Arabic quarters. The cathedral stands out, more powerful still than from within the city. Granada was taken back by the Spanish on the second of January 1492, so the inhabitants come here each year to ring a bell, next to the proud flags of Europe, Andalusia, Spain and Granada.


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Glimpse of Granada | Catholic wonders | Night has fallen | The Nazrid Palaces | Alhambra | Alcazaba | Generalife | Mirador de San Nicola | Albaicin views | Central Granada | Flamenco nights

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