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The former stronghold of Moorish Spain in the foothills of the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains (highest in Spain, among the highest in Europe) is a captivating city of romance and folklore. Its charm is recorded by many writers, led by Washington Irving and its native son Federico Garcia Lorca, whose work was banned by Franco but has gained well-deserved recognition since the Civil War. The history of Granada has been written by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Muslims, Jews, and Christians. But none of that matches the sheer natural beauty of the city. One understands how great tenors sing "Granada, I’m under your spell."

Of course, first thoughts of Granada are of the Alhambra. The great alcazar (fortress) is not impressive from the outside, except in location and size. The interior consists mainly of dozens of empty rooms, all richly decorated by the carved walls and ceilings. Not shown is the adjacent Hapsburg palace of Charles V.

Almost adjacent to the Alhambra is the Generalife (pronounce hay-nay-rahl-EE-fay), the exquisite palace and gardens of the sultans. The formal gardens also offer an awe-inspiring view of Granada and the Sierra Nevada (see the sunset below).

The Spanish Renaissance Cathedral (1521-1714) is resplendent in gold and white. Just behind it is the Royal Chapel, featuring the tomb of Ferdinand and Isabella. They chose to be buried in Granada rather than in their native provinces of Castile and Aragon because Granada was the site of their final conquest of the Moors (c. 1100).

The Cartuja (kar-TU-ha) is a 16C Carthusian monastery, sometimes called the "Christian answer to the Alhambra" because of its ornate decoration. While the monks may observe a vow of poverty, their order obviously does not, as shown here.

Modern residents of Granada love to decorate the outside walls and courtyards of their homes with flowers and ceramics. A very typical house and a typical ceramic plate are shown here.

Alhambra, Cartuja, Generalife—none can match the splendor of a sunset over Granada.