Spanish Edition: Al Hambra - Paradise Lost

A few centuries ago, majority of people in southern Spain were not called Xose, Paco or Lupe. They were called Abdullah, Mohammed or Fatima.
The thing is, some parts of southern Spain were ruled by Arabs from Middle East and Berbers from what now is Morroco & Tunis.

They were sophisticated, cultured people, who introduced many great things to Spain, Moorish architecture included. One of the crown jewels of Emirate of Al Andalus (see, they were Emarati too :)) was gorgeous complex of Al Hambra in charming city of Granada.

Al Hambra includes Emir's main palace, teeny-tiny summer palace, grounds, beautiful Generalife gardens and a fortress.

Eventually Arabs were driven out of Spain by Catholic kings. There's a story that gooes something like that: the last Emir of al Andalus was in tears when he and his people were living Al Hambra. His mother, seeing him in such a state, turned and said "That's right, cry like a girl for something that you could not defend like a man".

Her name was Fatima and, apparently she was one helluva woman.



Al Hambra from San Nicolas Mirador




Cipress Alley leading to the grounds




Generalife Garden




One of many charming courtyards





If these walls could talk...Walls of Al Hambra