Situated on a fertile Andalucian plain overlooked by three hills - the Alhambra, Albaicin and Sacromonte - Spain's modern city of Granada is the country's most popular tourist destination.
The last Moslem kingdom on the Iberian peninsula, Granada flourished from 1238 to 1492 under the Nasrid dynasty, during which period the region enjoyed economic prosperity and reached its artistic and cultural zenitth.
The Alhambra
Popularised by American writer Washington Irving in his romantic Tales of the Alhambra this is a fairy tale collection of palaces standing atop a wooded hill overlooking the modern city. Built around courtyards filled with flowers, fruit trees and fountains, where tranquil pools and the gentle sound of flowing water created a "paradise on earth", the Alhambra epitomizes the aesthetic refinement of Spain's sophisticated seven hundred year Islamic civilization.
Covering the ceilings and walls of the Nasrid kings' palace are intricate sculptures and exquisite hand crafted stuccowork, richly coloured ceramic tiles and artistic decorations. Without using any pictures of humans, animals or even flowers, the decorations on the walls of the Alhambra make use of calligraphy and geometric patterns to create artwork of unique beauty and elegance. Among the highlights to be seen here are the Hall of the Ambassadors with its hand carved cedarwood ceiling, the Myrtle Courtyard with its rectangular pool in which the Comares Tower is reflected, and the Generalife gardens with their beautiful patios and Water Staircase.
Palace of King Charles V
Within the Alhambra grounds stands the impressive Palace of King Carlos V (The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) inside which are the Museum of the Alhambra and the Museum of Fine Arts. Another building that must be seen is the Parador Nacional, a 15th century convent tastefully converted into a modern hotel. This is the old quarter of Granada on the opposite bank of the Darro river where the Moslems built their first fortress - and where they withdrew to after the city was conquered in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. One of the most beautiful views of the Alhambra, particularly at night, is from the Albaicin.
Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) and Cathedral
Situated off the city's main thoroughfare, the Gran Via de Colon, are the city's Cathedral and the older Royal Chapel. Construction of the Chapel was commenced by Ferdinand and Isabella at the dawn of the 16th century to mark their victory over the Moors. The chapel contains the tombs of the two monarchs as well as their daughter Joana and her husband, and a sacristy museum with valuable paintings by artists such as Botticelli and Memling. Among the highlights in the Chapel are the exquisite gilded screen closing the chancel and some beautiful wrought iron screens.
Sanjiva Wijesinha - Dr. Sanjiva Wijesinha, Associate Professor at Monash University medical school, writes on health, travel and medical topics.
