Properties for sale near Granada Andalucia, Properties for sale near Granada Andalucia,

Out and About - Granada

If you only visit one town in Spain it should be Granada, established in 1238 by the Moors, the city is placed at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, Beiro, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level yet only one hour from the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Tropical. Nearby is the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, where the 1996 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships were held.

Here beautifully preserved and set in a natural setting is the world famous Alhambra, it is the most exiting and evocative monuments in the whole of Europe. It was the last palace and fortress of the Spanish Moorish rulers, the Nasrids. The Alhambra is a collection of buildings the Nazaries Palace, the Generalife and the Alcazaba. The whole is surrounded by impressive walls that circle the entire hilltop. Water was brought into the complex from a source many miles away and stored in the Aljibe a large cistern. there are no motors or pumps in the Alhambra pushing the water round the many fountains and pools, the whole system was fed hydraulically, considering the number of water features in the complex an incredible feat of engineering.

The Generaliffe was the summer gardens of the sultans, the name means the garden of the Architect.The grounds are composed of a series of patios and enclosed gardens, walkways and scented arbours, all accompanied by the sound of water.

The Nazaries Palace is a fantastic use of light and space,the decorations are of an ornamental stucco, comprising of geometric shapes and Arabic script extolling the virtues of the Sultans, the builders and the buildings. The majority of the inscriptions are taken from the Koran and sme are repeated endlessly throughout the palace. The palace is divided into three parts, the Mexuar used for business and as a court,the Serallo that was reserved for special guests and Ambassadors, and the Harem that was the private quarters that were not entered by anyone except the family and servants. The Court of the lions is one of the most famous of the Alhambras images, with its intricate tracery and the Lion Fountain that stands in the center of the courtyard, in the Harem.

The Capilla Real in the center of Granada is a late Gothic style building built originally as a mausoleum for the Catholic monarchs Fernando and Isabella, that liberated Spain from the reign of the Moors, inside it has an elaborate monument to the monarchs. next to it is the Cathedral started  in 1521 and finished in the eighteenth century.

The Sierra Nevada are easily accessible from Granada, and there is a classic traverse of the Sierra's peaks over 3000 meters high that stars in Jerez del Marquesado on the north side of the Sierra Nevada. and finishes in Lanjaron in the Alujarras. The walk is a tiring three to four day trek that involves ropes, ice axes and crampons  if you try it before June. There are far less strenuous walks and treks in the mountains however to suit most people.