The Alhambra in Granada

The Alhambra is reported to be the most visited tourist site in all of Spain -- even beyond the Prado in Madrid. It was first constructed on a high hill overlooking Granada as early as 900 A.D. by the Moors as a defensive citadel. Muhammad I, founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, built a defensive fort, the Alcazaba, in the early 1300's. The Palacio Nazaries (pictured) was built by Yusuf I between 1333-54, and is considered the highpoint of Islamic culture and architecture in Europe. This palace is by far the most impressive part of the Alhambra and is the very first place that tourists like us line-up to visit. Reeve is pictured below, along with Doug and Tracy.

The Sierra Nevada -- not in California, but in Andalucia, Spain -- looms over the Alhambra and the city of Granada.

The "Court of the Lions," where Gabi and I are pictured, was an especially impressive part of the Palacio. And, throughout the Alhambra there were many gardens, fountains and water features of different kinds. The kids did really well during the 3 hours that we toured the Alhambra, and afterwards we took the bus back to our hotel, and from there walked to a restaurant where we all had dinner together. -rw