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sábado, 31 de julio de 2010

SPAIN: GRANADA MEDIEVAL AND SACROMONTE


Apart from La Alhambra de Granada and El Albaicín, in Granada you can visit other interesting places in the old city, such as the Alcaicería or the Monastery of San Jerónimo. Another fantastic visit is the Museum of Caves in Sacromonte.

Next you have the places I visit walking along the streets of Granada:


  • Jardines del Triunfo and Hospital Real
  • Monastery of San Jerónimo
  • Renaissance Palace in San Jeronimo Street
  • Church of San Justo y Pastor
  • Corral del Carbón
  • Alcaicería
  • Bib-Rambla Square
  • Cathedral
  • Church of San Juan de Dios





Jardines del Triunfo and Hospital Real


Jardines del Triunfo in Granada
In Jardines del Triunfo of Granada we met the guide and the other people we did an interesting tour around the old quarter with. In the picture appears the Royal Hospital


Monastery of San Jerónimo


Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada
Baroque church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada




Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada
I saw this mirror in a room of the Monastery and I didn't hesitate to take a picture :)


Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada
In the cloister between orange trees. Orange trees are very common in Granada streets



Church of San Juan de Dios


Church of San Juan de Dios in Granada
Another important baroque church of Granada is the one of San Juan de Dios. In this picture, the main façade


Renaissance Palace in San Jeronimo Street


Palace in San Jeronimo Street in Granada
One of the small palaces we could see in San Jeronimo Street


Church of San Justo y Pastor


Church of San Justo y Pastor in Granada
I found quite beautiful the church of San Justo y Pastor in Universidad street of Granada


Corral del Carbón


Corral del Carbón in Granada
Courtyard of Corral del Carbón in Granada, which served as inn for merchants, as warehouse and as a market


Alcaicería


Alcaiceria in Granada
Near the Corral del Carbon we entered the Alcaicería, where silk were sold. I liked the colourful look of this popular market in Granada

Bib-Rambla Square


 Bib-Rambla square in Granada
In this square, called Bib-Rambla square, we finished this amusing tour around the old quarter of Granada. This tour really pleased us, so we repeated two days after in the Albaicín


Cathedral



Cathedral of Granada
Going from Bib-rambla square to the restaurant we went past the Cathedral of Granada and I couldn't help taking one more picture



Cathedral of Granada
Night view of the Cathedral of Granada


Royal Chapel


Royal Chapel of Granada
Tomb of Catholic Kings inside the Royal Chapel of Granada


New Square



Church of Santa Ana in Granada
The church of Santa Ana in New Square has elements of Mudejar and Christian arquitecture



New Square in Granada
The fountain of the new square with Santa Ana church in the background



Sacromonte

After having lunch we went to the Sacromonte. At six o'clock the temperature was high (35º more or less). The bus left us in the Abadia of Sacromonte but it was already closed. We walk down for 20min and we reached the Museum of Caves in Sacromonte

Museum of Caves in Sacromonte


Sacromonte in Granada
We had to go upstairs for 5min and it was a bit hard because of the heat. But it was worth because the museum of Caves in Sacromonte is quite interesting


Sacromonte in Granada
A vegetal garden links all the caves of the museum


Sacromonte in Granada
Between the caves and the look-out point there is a small botanical garden


Alhambra de Granada from Sacromonte
As well as La Alhambra we could see the city of Granada from this viewpoint of Sacromonte


Alhambra de Granada from Sacromonte
Going from the museum to the Albaicín we couldn't help taking more pictures of La Alhambra



Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of other fantastic places we visited in Granada:


Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:


- Catalonia

- Basque Country

- Cantabria


- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

jueves, 29 de julio de 2010

SPAIN: ALBAICIN IN GRANADA


El Albaicín of Granada (the former muslim quarter) is a maze of narrow streets where it's really easy to get lost. I enjoyed a lot walking among its white buildings and small palaces, also called Cármenes.

Between white houses and Cármenes there are nice cafés where I spent a nice time in the evening.

Besides the views of the Alhambra de Granada from the New Mosque and the Sant Nicolás viewpoint are fantastic.

Below you have the most interesting places and buildings I visited in Albaicín:

  • New Mosque of Granada
  • Albaicín from La Alhambra
  • Streets and Squares of Albaicín
  • San Nicolás viewpoint
  • Carmen Nevot in Albaicín
  • Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín
  • Alhambra from the Albaicín


New Mosque of Granada


New Mosque of Granada in Albaicín
The Alhambra from the courtyard of the New Mosque of Granada, near the St. Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín


Besides, the murmur of water of this fountains made me feel quite relaxed and comfortable



Albaicín from La Alhambra


Albaicin from La Alhambra de Granada
I found really interesting the views of Granada from La Alcazaba of La Alhambra. Here, a beautiful view of the Albaicín. On the top, a church indicates the San Nicolás viewpoint


Streets and Squares of Albaicín



Albaicín in GranadaTypical steep and narrow street of the Albaicín in Granada


Albaicin in Granada
A typical narrow, steep and cobbled street in Albaícin

Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicin
A typical Carmen in Albaicín with La Alhambra in the background. A Carmen was a large house Christians built from three or four small muslim houses. Now this Carmen, called Aben Humeya, is a restaurant with a lovely garden and fantastic views of La Alhambra. We came back that day in the evening and we had a really good time there


Albaicin in Granada
Typical white houses in Albaicín


San Salvador in the Albaicin
The current courtyard of the church San Salvador in the Albaicín was the courtyard of a mosque which existed instead of this church

Larga square in Albaicín
Larga square in Albaicín is the nerve centre of the Albaicín. Here there is a market every morning


Albaicin in Granada
Going down to New Square between typical white houses of the Albaicín


San Nicolás viewpoint



Alhambra from the San Nicolas viewpoint in AlbaicinThe Alhambra from the San Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín


Carmen Nevot in Albaicín


Carmen Nevot in Albaicín
This carmen in Albaicín, called Nevot, is a really a Palace rather than a carmen


Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín


Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicin
A view of the courtyard of the Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín, where we spent a fantastic evening enjoying the beautiful views of La Alhambra


Carmen Aben Humeya in AlbaicinThe sunset made the view of La Alhambra from Albaicín even more beautiful

Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicin
Besides the colour of the flowers, the sound of the water of this fountain of the gardens of the Carmen Aben Humeya was quite relaxing

Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicin
Impeccable look of this small garden with a mihrab in the background


Carmen Aben Humeya in AlbaicinThe red flowers of the geraniums gave a colourful look to the courtyard of Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín

Alhambra from the Albaicín


Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra from Carmen Aben Humeya
Another impressive view of the Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra from Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín

Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra from Albaicin
Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra at night, one of the most beautiful views of Granada


Alhambra de Granada from Albaicin
When the sunlight began to disappear the spectacle of light started, as you can see in this picture of La Alhambra of Granada



Alhambra de Granada from Albaicin
And as a recompense for a hot afternoon, a cold drink in this restaurant near the Sant Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín. The views and the peaceful environment made this time one of the best of our stay in Granada


Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of other fantastic places we visited in Granada:



Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:


- Catalonia


- Basque Country

- Cantabria

- Granada

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

martes, 27 de julio de 2010

SPAIN: ALHAMBRA DE GRANADA


Probably Granada is known internationally thanks to La Alhambra de Granada. And I can confirm that the reputation of this great Arabian palace is deserved. La Alhambra de Granada is a spectacular monument, one of the most beautiful places I've seen, with a level of detail in the decoration almost unbelievable.

Alhambra de Granada from the Albaicin
La Alhambra de Granada lit at night, one of the most beautiful memories of Granada


Inside La Alhambra de Granada I visited the following fantastic places. What I liked the most, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens.

  • Arab bath or Hammam 
  • Mexuar room in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Arrayanes courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Tower of Comares in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Lions courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Partal Palace in Nasrid Palaces 
  • Palace of Carlos V 
  • Views of Granada and Albaícin from La Alcazaba 
  • Generalife Gardens


La Alhambra



Arab bath or hammam inside La Alhambra de Granada
Arab bath or hammam inside La Alhambra de Granada and near the Palace of Carlos V

Arab bath inside La Alhambra de Granada
I became a bit impressed when I look at the ceiling of this baths in La Alhambra, where I saw this star-shaped apertures 


Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaríes)


Mexuar room in La Alhambra de Granada
Eventually, at ten o'clock we entered the Nazari Palace, the treasure of La Alhambra de Granada. In this picture, the Mexuar room, with this impressing wall highly decorated. Here the Sultan listened to the requests of his subjects



Detail of Mexuar Room in La Alhambra de Granada


Highly decorated Column in La Alhambra de Granada near Mexuar Room


Arrayanes courtyard in La Alhambra de Granada
The Nasrid Palaces in La Alhambra de Granada where built around courtyards with fountains and ponds because water was a really important element in muslim culture. The Arrayanes courtyard was the largest one and its pond reflects the light to the adjacent rooms

Tower of Comares in La Alhambra de Granada
Another view of the Arrayanes courtyard with the tower of Comares in the background and the arab columns reflected on the water



Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada
Highly decorated ceiling of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada


Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de GranadaDecoration of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada


Dos Hermanas Room in Alhambra de Granada
Highly decorated ceiling of Dos Hermanas Room in Alhambra de Granada


Lions courtyard in La Alhambra de Granada
Unfortunately the Lions courtyard, one of the treasures of La Alhambra de Granada was absolutely in restoration, so I was a bit disappointed. Obviously this picture is a photo of a photo


Alhambra de Granada
A closer view of the lions in La Alhambra de Granada


Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada
Partal Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings of La Alhambra de Granada, reflected on the water

Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada

Another part of the Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada


Partal Palace in La Alhambra
Gardens inside La Alhambra de Granada, near the Partal Palace


Palace of Carlos V



Palace of Carlos V in La Alhambra de Granada
The circular courtyard of this palace inside La Alhambra surprises me a bit. It was circular because, this way, it was more suitable for the entertainment shows which took place here since the visibility of the audience was better

Palace of Carlos V in La Alhambra de Granada
Another picture of this circular courtyard



Views of Granada from La Alcazaba



Albaicin from La Alhambra de Granada
I found really interesting the views of Granada from La Alcazaba of La Alhambra. Here, a beautiful view of the Albaicín. On the top, a church indicates the San Nicolás viewpoint


Granada from La Alhambra
This view of Granada from La Alhambra shows the cathedral and, on the bottom, the New square

Albaicín from La Alhambra de Granada
Another great view of Granada: the Albaicín from the Vela Tower of La Alhambra


Alhambra de Granada from the Albaicin
View of Sierra Nevada behind the Nasrid Palace and the Palace of Carlos V of La Alhambra  de Granada from the Albaicín


Generalife Gardens



From the north side of the Alhambra a path leads us to The Generalife, the summer residence of the sultans.

Acequia courtyard in Generalife Gardens
The Acequia courtyard is an oriental garden built around a long central canal. Always the water plays an essential role in Alhambra and Generalilfe courtyards

Generalife gardens in Granada
This courtyard of El Generalife, unlike the ones of La Alhambra, is covered with vegetation

Generalife gardens in Granada
Typical columns of Nasrid arquitecture also in Generalife Gardens

Generalife gardens in Granada
The courtyard of the Sultaness in Generalife Gardens of Granada was the place where Zoraya met her lover

Generalife gardens in Granada
Another view of this beautiful courtyard of Generalife Gardens



Finally, some beautiful pictures of La Alhambra de Granada lit at night:


Alhambra de Granada lit at night
When the sunlight began to disappear the spectacle of light started, as you can see in this picture of La Alhambra of Granada



Alhambra de Granada lit at night
The view of La Alhambra de Granada under the moonlight was spectacular



Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of Granada, El Albaicín and Sacromonte Caves:




Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:


- Catalonia

- Basque Country

- Cantabria


- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz