The Alhambra

Ayuntamiento de Granada, La Alhambra, Patio de los Leones
Ever since the Catholic Monarchs conquered Granada in 1492, the Alhambra, qa’lat al-Hamra, or the Red Castle, has fed the fantasies of travelers and visitors alike. And ever since the publication of Washington Irving’s book, Tales of the Alhambra, the site’s spectacular gardens, the sounds of its fountains, and its mysterious, sophisticated rooms have inspired travelers to imagine exotic scenes, transporting them to a fascinating world, far away in time and space.The Alhambra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, is a truly singular place in Spain, representing more than 400 years of Islamic heritage, which affords it historical originality with respect to the rest of Europe. There’s no other crossroads in the world as important as this Nasrid palace, no place as spellbindingly beautiful, where a sunset over its battlements alone makes the journey worthwhile.