Submitted by Anna Hemelt on the 2018 fall semester study abroad program in Granada, Spain…
This week, we went to the most notable landmark in southern Spain: The Alhambra. My expectations were high, though somehow when I arrived, I was astounded at how massive and overwhelming it was. My group and I were given a tour in Spanish, and I learned a lot of new information about the Alhambra. The large palace was given it’s name because of it’s meaning in Arabic – the red. It is thought that it was called this because of the color of the earth and clay used to construct the magnificent facade, but our professor pointed out that it also could be because of the red hair of one of the Nasrid Kings.
The Alhambra was built for the Nasrid royalty and court. It was used as such until 1492, when it was then used as the royal court for Isabella and Ferdinand. In the 1500s, a palace for King Charles V was added and it was obvious to me that it was not part of the original construction. The Generalife incoporates the gardens that surround the palace with mazes of trees, bushes and flowers. It was used as the summer estate of the Nasrid Rulers.
Both the Alhambra and the Generalife represent large pieces of history, and in the construction of the palaces and fortress exteriors, it was definitely evident. This visit has definitely been my favorite part about studying abroad in Spain so far, and I’m excited for other interesting discoveries as well.
