*Includes pictures
*Includes contemporary accounts
*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading
Tucked away on the crest of the Al-Sabika Hill in Granada of Andalusia, Spain, just left of the babbling stream of the Darro River, sits a majestic structure overlooking the charming city and mystical meadows of La Vega. This palatial fortress and the fabled Alhambra are one and the same. To those that have seen it in its full glory, this was heaven on earth itself. Many were quick to fall under the spell of its breathtaking beauty, with its admirers lovingly dubbing it "a pearl set in emeralds."
At one point in time, this place had been decked out with a network of captivating castles, heavenly homes and gorgeous gardens, and a handsome military fortress envied by the city's neighboring kingdoms. This was none other than Alhambra, once so enchanting that a countless number of those who visited the place in its heyday praised it as a true paradise on earth. Today, this historic complex has become the setting and inspiration for a host of books, music, movies, and other works of art and literature, such as Washington Irving's Tales of Alhambra, and Marcel L'Herbier's cinematic masterpiece, El Dorado. A main asteroid belt has even been named after the legendary place.
The exquisite work of art continues to be beloved, so much so that a campaign in 2007 attracted an estimated 5,000 hopefuls to the site. There, the thousands laced their fingers together and formed a ring around the spectacular fortress stretching 1.5 miles long, in hopes of cementing the landmark's place among the "New 7 Wonders of the World." Astounding aesthetics aside, the rich tapestry of history that unfolded within the walls of the centuries-old palatial paradise is truly what makes Alhambra one of the classic, timeless gems in all of Europe.
The Alcázar of Seville, a patchwork of enchanting palaces and gardens, is far more than just an impressive landmark - it is evidence of the beauty birthed from the multicultural Andalusian timeline, a harmonious masterpiece crafted by Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The royal estate, with 17,000 square meters of spectacular structures and 7 hectares of lavish gardens, is even more sublime in the nighttime. The rambling Moorish arches, and the gorgeous detail of the fairy-tale turrets and curtain walls - from the striking shapes of the rectangular merlons, capped with triangular cones, to the coarse, aged texture and smears of damp discoloring the ancient facade - are all the more emphasized by the torches dotted throughout the premises. But following the departure of the nocturnal visitors, the interactive tour guides (clad in elaborate costumes of historical figures just hours before), and the last of the staff, the Alcázar, some say, becomes an intoxicating, sinister maze almost impossible to escape.
The Alhambra and the Alcázar of Seville: The History of the Famous Fortresses Constructed by the Moors in Spain offers a virtual tour of the fortress palaces, and it chronicles their history and legacy, including the events that inspired, advanced, and stalled their development throughout the years. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the Alhambra and the Alcázar of Seville like never before.