Sunday, November 29, 1998
The hostal that I stayed in had a restaurant, so for the first time this trip I was able to get my morning coffee without leaving the building. The proprietors allowed me to leave my bag for the day while I explored Granada.
I took a roundabout way to the cathedral, passing a few places that my map identified as historic structures. Unfortunately, the tourist map gave little or no description of them.
I couldn't get in to the cathedral itself even though the sign said it should be open. However the adjacent Capilla Real, where Ferdinand and Isabella's tombs are housed was open, so I went in to have a look. I'm not sure why, but I was very much moved by my visit to their final resting place. Photography was prohibited, so I won't say where I got this picture.
The tombs of Ferd and Izzy
From there I made the long, steep walk up to the Alhambra, which was the last Moorish stronghold in Spain to be conquered by the Christians (1492). Adjacent to the Alhambra is the Generalife, which was for many years a summer royal palace.
The grounds of the Generalife
The Generalife is set on a hilltop with fantastic vistas overlooking Granada. The grounds are meticulously landscaped with gardens and ponds, while the buildings themselves seemed somewhat barren. You could see the Alhambra across the valley from the Generalife, and it was by far the largest and best preserved Moorish ruin I had seen on this entire trip.
The Alhambra, from the Generalife
The Alhambra itself was a very different type of fortress; huge stone walls surround the entire "city." The structures here are remakably intact, though the Baroque palace of Carlos V, which was built in the center of the ruins during the 1500's, seems very much out of place.
The Alhambra, Carlos V palace on the right
Granada was my favorite city on this trip, and this was my last full day of my adventure so I've thrown in a couple of extra photos below.
Another veiw of the Alhambra
What a great place to end my journey!
The city of Granada
I finished my foot tour of Granada late in the afternoon, and went back to the hostal to collect my backpack. My bus for Madrid left at 9:00 p.m.
Continue to day 14.