Granada

Granada is an amazing city. I has a plethora (vocab point!) of history from both the Muslim presence in Spain as well as its time as the capital of Spain from Los Reyes Catholicos (the catholic kings Isabel and Ferdinand) and Carlos V in 15^th and 16^th century.

The Alhambra is possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It was built to be the palace and home of the royal family of the sultan when Granada was the capital of the Muslims in Spain. From the 13^th century until the Catholic Kings finally expelled the Muslims in 1492, it was their home. It is 100,000m² of opulence and luxury. There are beautiful patios, stained glass, tile mosaics, and views of Abaicín, the old Moorish city (the pretty white buildings and homes that you think of when you think of Spain). It’s like a little paradise and I can only imagine what I would have been like to live there. Then again, to live there I would have to be one of his 4 wives or 200 or so concubines…

The next stop that Friday was the Iglesia de San Nicolas (Church of St. Nicholas). It is perfectly positioned for a beautiful view of the Alhambra and the city at sunset. I’ll try to get some video up on youtube as well a picture for the blog. It was absolutely incredible. The city of Granada is fantastic.

In the morning my friend Sona and I headed to La Catedral de Granada as well as the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). We saw the opulent tombs of the Catholic Kings as well as their daughter Juana La Loca (Juana the crazy) and her husband in the Royal Chapel. The most amazing part was the cathedral. It was absolutely breathtaking. I’ll add a photo of myself next to the enormous Puerta de Perdon (door of pardon). The video is the only thing that kind of does it justice; the pictures can barely describe the huge vaulted ceilings, the stained glass, and intense organs. They started building it in 1560s and it wasn’t finished until the about 200 years later, and you can see why it took so long.

Sunday started with a trip to Frederico Garcia Lorca’s house at Huerta de San Vicente. I’m currently taking a class on Spanish 20^th century literature and film at the University of Córdoba, and it just so happens that we are currently reading a play by Lorca called La Casa de Bernarda Alba. It worked out that we would be in Granada while we were studying him and it was really cool to see the actual desk where he finished writing La Casa de Bernarda Alba while we were reading it. He was friends with a lot of famous artists in Spain that came out of this time period, including Salvador Dalí, and there are drawings and things from Dalí in Lorca’s home.

That afternoon I took a walking tour of Granada that suggested to my by my trusted Lonely Planet guidebook. Danielle, Irene, Sona, and I walked all up and down the old part of Granada for about 2.5 hours and came across some of the most breathtaking and beautiful views of the city and Alhambra. I feel like I’m starting to wear the phrase out, but the pictures don’t do it just. If you’re ever in Europe, especially if you’re in Spain, go to Granada and I’ll draw out the tour we took for you. When we improvised off the suggested tour we found even more beautiful views.

One 3-hour bus ride later and I was home, completely exhausted. I was running on adrenaline almost the whole time, but it was certainly worth it. I can sleep when I’m back in the states. Where else can I go to a discoteca in cave that has a view of the Alhambra? J