Day 6 Malaga
Moorish legacy – 8 centuries as previous Muslim capital. Stunning sunrise as we arrived in port.
Highlight today was trip to Alhambra – the Red Palace in Granada. Sitting on one of 3 hills dwarfed by Sierra Nevada range, it’s an amazing place. Begun in 1240’s – was complex of schools, houses, baths, barracks and gardens with 24 defense towers and impregnable walls. Only 2 parts remain but they are stunning – the Alcazaba and the Palacio Nazaries. Palaces and gardens.
Palaces are conglomeration of arches, patios, cupolas made of wood, plaster, tile, lavishly coloured with marquetry and ceramics. Frothy lace-like stucco and macorabes – ornamental stalactites. Lots of geometric patterns & significance of number 7. Most famous part is Patio de los Leons – the court of the lions – fountain supported by 12 marble lions. Centre feature is patio with 24 columns – rather impressive.
The Generalife – gardens are beautiful – water, flowers, symbolism including 7 steps to Heaven. Certainly would have been a lovely place to wander and escape pressure of life at that time.
Alongside Alhambra is uncompleted palace of Charles V begun in 1526 with complete disregard for Moorish structure alongside. Quite a juxaposition.
Day 7 – Gibraltar – UK.
An imposing piece of rock- dominates straight between Spain & Morocco-more to come!
