Alhumbra Grenada

Hola

Today is our guided tour of the Alhambra (Generalife, Nazrid Palaces, Alcázar which translates to Gardens, Palace and Castle)

Our guide is quite pleasant and easily understood, which is good. We start the Tour in Generalife and one of the first things she explains that it is not Generalife at all. The name "Generalife" comes from the Arabic phrase jannat al-'arīf, which most commonly translates as Garden of the Architect or similar refers to the summer palace and gardens built for the Nasrid rulers of Granada. Over time it became adapted in Spanish as Generalife.

It’s busy of course (we had to book 2 weeks ahead remember) and it is quite a process moving through the areas with other tours and the general public doing their own thing - somewhat a case of too popular to really be great.

In fact, although it is a wonderful place, and we learnt a lot more with the good guide - come closer while I whisper this - (we left a little underwhelmed!!) Maybe if we were here before we went to Jerez, Sevilla, Cordoba, even Antequera etc. we might have been more amazed, but we think elements of those outshone the Alhambra. So not disappointed but also not ecstatic. Plenty of pictures though, so you can decide for yourself!

So first of all its Generalife:

Then onto the Palace. By the way, the King at the time decided to build a circular stadium like enclave for his Palace, but then a war broke out so they used the stadium to house the soldiers so he didn't get to use it for recreation as intended. Lots of Muslim influence.

Any finally the Castle:

End of tour, walking down boulevarde of lovely trees:

After finishing the tour we went back into the Town Centre, and found the same shop as yesterday and again bought a Jamon y Queso Bocadillo (Bob's favourite Jamon Baguette) - yum!

We then wandered a bit aimlessly and found the Cathedral (we didn’t go in after Sevilla - why bother 🙂), but next door was the Iclesia del Sacrario (another Cathedral) which we did go into - big volume, very nice stained glass/leadlight windows.

Also wandered past the Monasterio de San Jeronimo, the Conservatory of Music, the University, Grillo Gelateria (not a famous building) and back to the bus.

We went up to the Bar at the campground, sat by the fire (no one else there), Bob had a couple of pints and I had a wine, served with free Tapa (chorizo and bread, nice cheese and bread), and back to our van for a toasted salami and cheese, and then off to bed.

We have a dilemma of what to do tomorrow as we want to go to Jaen ( Olive Oil Capital of Spain / The World), but there are no campgrounds, so maybe it’s our third freebie?? Keep you posted.

Adious for now