Alhambra Palace

About

First built in the 11th century by Samuel Ha-Nagid, the Jewish grand vizier of one of Granada’s Zirid sultans, the Alhambra Palace was fortified in the 13th and 14th centuries, adjoined by a village which now lies in ruin. The white stone set among the green forests had Moorish poets comparing it to "a pearl set in emeralds." After the Christian reconquest, the mosque was replaced with a church, and the Convento de San Francisco built. The Christian rulers brought more western aesthetics to the palace, with Charles V destroying a wing to make his own Renaissance structure, and Philip V blocked off entire sections to suit his preferences. Today, the restored palace has been acknowledged by UNESCO for containing every known artistic technique of the Hispano-Muslim world, including intricate arabesques, honeycomb vaulted ceilings, and intricate tile-work. Due to the limited availability of tours, we recommend booking your tickets in advance at https://www.alhambra.org/en/