Granada, Spain

The Spanish have a saying, the worse fate a man could have is to be a blind man in Granada. The city is that beautiful.

Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonized southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon.

The last Sultan of the Moors was named Boabdil. He was forced to give up his throne and turn the city over. He, his family, and the surviving moors were forced to return to Africa.

One of the most brilliant jewels of universal architecture is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built under Boabdil and his predecessors. This mighty compound of buildings – including the summer palace called Generalife, with its fountains and gardens – stands at the foot of Spain’s highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, and overlooks the city below and the fertile plain of Granada.

Legend has it that as the royal party moved south toward exile, they reached a rocky prominence which gave a last view of the city. Muhammad XII reined in his horse and, surveying for the last time the Alhambra and the green valley that spread below, burst into tears. When his mother in law approached him she said : “Weep like a woman for what you could not defend as a man”. Where Boabdil looked for the last time on Granada is known as “the Moor’s last sigh”

Ferdinand and Isabella took up residence at the Alhambra immediately after the reconquest in 1492. From here Columbus was authorized to sail his first voyage.

The Alhambra fell into disrepair as the capital of the kingdom was moved to Toledo and later Madrid. It became inhabited by gypsies and fell into disrepair. Napoleon troops later used it a camp sight and destroyed some of the Alhambra during this time.

Tales from the Alhambra was published in the late 18th century and brought a renewed interest in the historic sight. It is a collections of legends and stories told about the Alhambra. Many believed these walls to be haunted by the former Muslim occupants. It makes for a great read when visiting.

This ranks as one of my favorite places in Europe. The sunny climate and the 10,000+ tall Sierra Nevada’s to the north provide a perfect mix of warmth and a cool breeze. It is like the city is air conditioned. The cool breeze In May, you can snow ski in the morning and lounge on the beach in the afternoon… If you are willing to make the 30 minute drive.

All the bars provide free tapas with drink orders. They have awesome Flamenco. Prices are much more reasonable than the larger cities in Spain.