Wow. You never know when a “must-visit” tourist draw is going to underwhelm, and when it will exceed expectations. The Alhambra in Granada certainly exceeded mine. Especially juxtaposed against the over-the-top ornate gaudiness of the Chateua de Versailles, where we recently were, I was astonished by the building’s grace, simplicity, and luminosity. The marble floors and reflecting pools made the palace feel lit from within. The symmetry and geometric designs gave a sense of peace and balance. The integration of long horizontal planes and framed vistas gave the eye constant interest and constant places to rest. The tile work and materials were elaborate, but cohesive. The interior courtyards were beautifully landscaped and calming. They do a nice job of crowd control, so the building wasn’t too overrun, but even with all the people, I felt at ease. I really thought it was a moving environment. And the gardens! They just went on and on, overflowing with floral blooms of every kind and color, and manicured shrubbery creating garden rooms. The layering and building of plants and other design elements really created one of the prettiest gardens I’ve ever visited. I could have stayed all day, and if I lived here I’m sure I’d go back all the time. I wanted to just soak the place up, but the view around every corner begged a picture. Here are a few.
