GRANADA: Home of the Alhambra

THE ALHAMBRA – UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The Pomegranate – Symbol of Spain and Granada

The Generalife – Summer Palace to the Alhambra

THE SACROMONTE – Gypsy neighborhood and center of flamenco

Chorrojumo – King of the Gypsies

CALLE DE LOS TRISTES – A favorite place for a stroll in Granada.

THE GATE OF SCALES – Anyone caught using inaccurate weights in the market would have them confiscated, and then their disgrace would be displayed above the gate for all to see.

This is the entrance to the Albayzin. The reason for the angle of the passage is to deter any enemy from entering quickly.

A few remaining weights from the old days on the upper right.

A malignant disgrace of the 21st. century can be viewed from the other side of the gate.

The streets are narrow and disordered to confuse any enemies. Keeping them narrow also keeps them cooler in the summer. All the buildings tend to be white for this purpose as well.

This adorable little thing is for water storage.

A typical square in the Albayzin.

A pleasant place to enjoy a refreshment.

One of the cave houses in the Sacromonte.

VENTA EL GALLO – One of the best Flamenco shows in the Sacromonte.

This one was serious as a heart attack. She didn’t crack a smile.

This lady was a little more agreeable.

Enter the old pro.

A nice view to enjoy the way back down to my hotel, and the Alhambra tour awaits in the morning.

Promenade to the Generalife Summer Palace in the Alhambra Complex.

Pomegranate Tree

View of the Alhambra from the Generalife Summer Palace

Waterscaped Courtyards of the Generalife Summer Palace

Beautiful arabesque decoration

Fountains powered by an incredible ancient hydraulic system.

Aqueduct System

Palace of Charles V

The unfinished interior of the Palace of Charles V. The roof was never even completed, and the one you see here is a 20th century add-on.

Puddingstone was used in the columns.

Pomegranate trees enhance the courtyard of this archaeological site.

Tessellation’s like this one helped to inspire M.C. Escher’s work.

Lions Fountain

A very nice view of the Albayzin from the Alhambra.

Portico and pool of the early 14th-century Partal, in the Alta Alhambra of the complex.

Out the back door and down the hill

One last gate and into town

A duck dinner awaits at the foot of the Alhambra.

One last look while the sun sets as I dine.

Farewell Granada – The Overnight Bus Awaits