Andalusia - Alhambra

I really don't know why I postponed for so long this last episode from our trip to Andalusia.  Even now, the words don't come easy (recognize the song?), but I think of it all the time, so I have to let it go.

The Alhambra Moorish palaces were built for the last Muslim Emirs of the Nasrid Dynasty in Spain, during the mid 14th century. After the Reconquista (reconquist) by the Reyes Catolicos (Catholic Monarchs), in 1492, some portions were used by the Christian rulers. 

It is now one of the major attractions of Spain, even for locals, not only for tourists, exhibiting the country's most significant and well known Islamic architecture. The Alhambra is a Unesco World Heritage site, and a huge inspiration for artists, singers and writers. The most westerly feature is the Alcazaba (citadel), a strongly fortified position.

The literal translation of Alhambra, "red fortress", reflects the color of the red clay of the surroundings of which the fort is made. The buildings of the Alhambra were originally whitewashed, however, the buildings seen today are reddish.

Don't let our pictures fool you, the place is full of people in all seasons, and we found even a bride photographed in this beautiful location. Of course, we took her picture, too.