16th June 08 - Malaga and the Alhambra

Docked in Malaga harbour and joined coach for 2 hour trip through the Sierra Nevada to Granada and the Alhambra Palace.

Alhambra was built by the Moors in 1238-1492. Built of 'modest materials' - like plaster, wood and tiles - it is the incredible craftsmanship (the carving in particular) which makes the Alhambra so famous. Very crowded. Timed visits. Huge site - so probably only saw a fraction of it in our 2.5hr visit. 

Silver Cloud in Malaga harbour with not a cloud in the sky

Panorama across the Alhambra

Across the rooftops of Granada to the Sierra Nevada mountains

The Church of St Mary (the only Christian bit!)

South gallery. Alhambra has many pools like this - reflecting light into the buildings that surround them.

Everywhere you see amazing plaster carvings

Patio de Arrayanes

Patio de los Liones - surrounded by 124 slender marble columns with wonderful carved capitals

Sala de los Abencerrajes with its intricately carved geometric ceiling inspired by Pythagoras' theorem.

Convento de S Francisco. Taken through the manicured cypress hedges of the Secano. Gardens surround the Alhambra - all irrigated by an intricate water system from the hills above.

One of the water gardens in Generalife

Many birds, like this finch,  made their nests in the stucco

Carving in the Hall of the Ambassadors