Granada (pop 238,000) has a time machine. It is called "La Alhambra", a well preserved fortified palatial city that dates back to 1238, purched on top of a strategic hilltop overlooking the city. It contains several important buildings within its fortified walls: The Nasrid Palace, The Alcazaba (fortress), The Medina (markets), Carlos V Palace and The Generalife (retreat). Spain was occupied by North African moslems from 711 to 1492 and they chose Granada as their capital. The Alhambra was built between 1300 and 1500. There is also an Arab quarter in the town below called the "Albaicin" district which contains steps, narrow alleyways and houses that are well preserved. The photos show the view of the Alhambra from Albaicin and the main courtyard of the Nasrid Palace within the Alhambra.
Granada also features the Capilla Real, a chapel next to the main Cathedral containing the remains of Spain´s most well known royal couple, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella who spent 25% of the royal budget building the chapel between 1504 and 1521 but happened to liberate Spain from the Moslems.
The city has a distinctly Arab influence with bath houses, tea rooms, backgammon and pipe smoking. Granada is nestled at the foot of the 3,500m high Sierra Nevadas which makes for some spectacular viewing. Distance travelled so far: 5,735km.
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