Submitted by Hallie Nygren on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Granada, Spain…
The Alhambra is an incredible palace in Granada that was constructed after the Arab King Alhamar had a dream. In the dream, the Prophet Muhammad was riding a mythological creature called a burak. It was a mix of a horse, a donkey, a camel and a peacock. He rode into a beautiful palace and when Alhamar awoke, he decided he wanted to create that palace. I was grateful that we were able to learn the history behind the creation of the Alhambra prior to our visit because it allowed me to fully enjoy my surroundings while there, without having to rush through a tour to learn about the historical aspects. The Alhambra was not only a fortress while the Arab and Christian rulers lived there, but it was a collection of gardens and a city as well.
We entered through the Generalife, where there are beautiful, very well kept gardens. The aroma of flowers filled the air and the trees were so tall. There were even signs that told visitors not to touch the plants. There were numerous fountains and an amazing view of the city from here.
There is also an area called the Alcazaba, which is where soldiers used to reside. The Arabs created a zigzag ramp as an entrance in order to increase protection and make it more difficult for others to attack. I loved this area because it was interesting to see the stone foundations of where the soldiers’ houses used to be. The Torre de la Vela is also here. This tower was used for lookouts, and has another amazing view of the city. It was so surreal seeing the entire city from such an ancient structure.
