On a Granada hilltop sits the Alhambra, palace of the Moorish sovereigns and the last site of the Ottoman Empire in Spain to fall to the Christian monarchs during the Inquisition. There are few adequate words for it. It’s just one of those places you have to see.
La Alhambra |
Façade of Comares |
Chamber of the Ambassadors |
My favorite: ceiling detail from the Hall of the Abencerrages |
Hall of the Abencerrages |
The Hall of the Muqarnas surrounding the Courtyard of the Lions |
City of Granada and her Sierra Nevadas in the distance |
Passing through the Andalucía countryside, the landscape dominated by olive groves, rocky outcroppings, and a sun bleached blue sky. Ronda is a ridge top, whitewashed town set high above El Tajo, a 328 foot deep gorge spanned by the 18th century el Puente Nuevo. We wandered Ronda’s quaint maze of streets and admired the ubiquitous tile work, decorated doorways and tiny courtyards so prevalent among Andalucía towns.
El Tajo |
El Puente Nuevo spanning El Tajo |
Ronda's famous Plaza de Toros |
Onward to Sevilla, heart of Andalucía, full of color, light, sangria, Fería and flamenco.