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Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra is the an architectural wonder and the greatest treasure of Moorish Spain. The Alhambra sits on a hill overlooking the city of Granada; and consists of three distinct groups of buildings: Casa Real (Royal Palace or Palacios Nazaries), the palace gardens of the Generalife, and the Alcazaba.

 

A few select quotes from Wikipedia:

 

It was originally constructed as a small fortress in 889 and then largely ignored until its ruins were renovated and rebuilt in the mid-11th century by the Moorish emir Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar of the Emirate of Granada, who built its current palace and walls. It was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada.

 

The Muslim ruler Muhammad XII of Granada surrendered the Emirate of Granada in 1492 without the Alhambra itself being attacked when the forces of the Reyes Católicos, King Fernando II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, took the surrounding territory.

 

After being allowed to fall into disrepair for centuries, the buildings being occupied by squatters, Alhambra was rediscovered in the 19th century by European scholars and travelers, with restorations commencing. It is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions.

 

- Listed on Explore 16th December 2014

A big thank you to you all!

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Uploaded on December 16, 2014
Taken on November 5, 2014