Ever since we spilled out of the cab yesterday into the Albaicín neighborhood of Granada, I have been awed by the Alhambra spreading out over the hills high above us, exuding majesty, guardianship, and a touch of foreboding.
I knew a minuscule slice of its history, which was fleshed out a little more today on our two-hour tour. For several hundred years, the Moors controlled the Iberian peninsula until the Spanish finished wresting it back in the 1490’s. This area was the last part of Spain the Moors lost.
The palaces of the Alhambra fell into extreme degradation and were filled with “banditos” and “gypsies” over the years, terms I am confident are not PC.
Ferdinand and Isabella took up residence and began restoring it but when the capital moved to Madrid, restoration halted.
Today it overlooks thousands of tourists enjoying tapas and drinks, strolling along narrow cobblestone streets and across stone bridges. Modern and classical music float out over squares as people chat, dance and laugh under the watchful eyes of the Alhambra.
My Corner of the Village 