In Italy, you expect to see Roman columns and beautiful domes. In England, you anticipate curved gables and Tudor windows. In France, it is the iron balconies and gargoyles that come to mind. In Spain, however, I did not anticipate the amount of Moorish influence in the architecture, especially in the Andalucia region. Not only was I surprised by the Moorish designs, I was bowled over by its beauty.
Prior to my first visit to the region, I didn't know that the Moors (of Arab descent from North Africa) ruled much of the Iberian Peninsula beginning in the late Medieval era. The Muslim Moors moved into Southern Spain in 711 BC and the region flourished culturally and technologically. Many great buildings and palaces were constructed, and several remain as grand monuments in the area today. One of the most eminent palaces is the Alhambra in Grenada (pictured above).
I was taken by the immense and intricate carvings, the detailed inscriptions and vibrant colors. It's impossible to imagine the construction of such intricacy. Yet, it's even more difficult to image the display of immense wealth these facades once created. Standing inside these magnificent buildings allowed my imagination to run wild!
It's truly difficult to put into words the grandness and beauty of it all, and the impact it had on me. So, I'll leave a few photos to illustrate what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, the photos don't begin to do it justice!
A column in the Alhambra in Grenada.
Ceiling in the Alhambra in Grenada.
Inside the Alcazar in Seville.
Indoor pool in the Alcazar in Seville.
