I bought a children's book of The Alhambra whilst there and the chapter about the buildings begins thus ... "For the poets the Alhambra is 'a crown on the brow of Granada', 'a paradise on earth', a dream, a treasure of harmony and light ... and many things besides. But let us leave the poets. What does the word Alhambra mean? It means 'red'. So that in the Arabic tongue 'alqala al hamra' means the red castle." Personally, I favour those words of the poets and only wish I had the talent to write more about this amazing place.
I took so many, many photos on our visit to the Alhambra in Granada. We managed to get tickets and were amongst the first visitors to enter. Thousands visit each day and you must pre arrange your visit or be disappointed. I am so glad we were first in as the crowds were enormous as the hours passed. We had about four hours looking around - you could spend days.
Books abound on this unbelievable and unforgettable building - site really, a collection of buildings which grew and changed over the centuries. My photographs do not compare with those that are published and I am not going to compete. Here below are a number of the hundreds of photographs I took. The first ones show only tiny glimpses of the detail of the Royal Palace. It is overwhelmingly glorious, and the following photographs show some of the details round about which caught my artist's eye.
I'm sure there are amazing photographs of the Alhambra - however, I quite enjoyed seeing through your eyes. I visited here when I was a teenager. I would love to see it again as I think I have the capacity to SEE so much better now. I saw much as a teen ager and young adult. But to see NOW with a mature aesthetic eye, that is something. Thanks for sharing... such an incredible place, I loved it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie. I am sure we see through different eyes the older we become - and perhaps even the more creative we become as well.
DeleteWonderful, such creative skills that were used to make these amazing buildings.
ReplyDeleteI have never been but I will !!
Thank you .
Diane.x
Be marvellous to put this on your favourites list. Even if you don't visit all of Spain, I think there are a few places in Andalusia that are heartstopping! x
DeleteObviously an artists view, not just the obvious splendor but the little things as well. Would love to go and visit The Alhambra again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie - yes, it is painful sometimes when I come back from a trip and friends ask to see my photos. I usually have to sort out all the ones taken with an artist's eye and interest, usually about 90%, and then show the rest!! I took hundreds at the Alhambra though and may post on the actual man made details soon - you will remember them as staggeringly beautiful and overwhelming I am sure.
Deletebeautiful!
ReplyDeletethanks for popping over and taking a peek.
DeleteS - thanks for sharing such beautiful details and fragments. B
ReplyDeleteThose first few images took my breath away - I was in complete and utter awe. It has certainly got me thinking I'd like to visit sometime - my head is still being shaken with the wonder of it all!
ReplyDeleteI must show you the other hundreds of photographs of this amazing collection of buildings and gardens ..... x
DeleteMy goodness - how glorious the detail, and what a beautiful collection of photos you've chosen to share. Thank you for taking us on this trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol. I feel I led viewers more along the details route than ther tourist one - but may post on that a little down the track.
DeleteI still remember from my junior high school Spanish class that the Alhambra is the site of "el ultimo suspiro del Moro" -- the last breath of the Moor -- from 1492 when the Muslims were driven out of Spain. I've never been there -- you're photos are gorgeous. Especially like the curved hunk of brick wall exposed behind the stucco. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that quote Kathleen. 'the last breath of the Moor'. Marvellous. I was reading 'People of the Book' by Geraldine Brooks which really added to the pleasure of being in that part of the world.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing these gorgeous images - especially the first half dozen with the exquisitely fine detail.
ReplyDeleteThe Alhambra is on my must visit list. Your photos make me even keener than ever to go.
Ah, another viewer who may like to see me post on the beauty of the Alhambra 'proper'. I have hundreds of those details and larger expanse shots so look out for a post in the future, and after that you may just pack your bags and head there! We were just too early to enjoy the full splendour of the gardens - though winter gardens have their own delights. The Serra Nevada looming behind the Alhambra was thick with snow still in March. Autumn would be my favourite time to visit.
DeleteI really look forward to seeing other Alhambra photos.
DeleteThanks also for the advice on when to visit - though a visit will be impossible this autumn - too many other diversions planned - but perhaps next year.
Your photos bring back such memories. I was so charmed with the beauty and foreign-ness of the architecture and the details you shared were many that I remember catching my eye as well. The arches, the tiles, the garden - we were there for hours too. I just love your detail shots - now I want to go back and look again! :)
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