Our guide Angel gave credit to Washington Irving for the restoration of the Alhambra and his job. The Alhambra had been basically ignored and abandoned in the 1800's and was overrun by homeless people. Washington Irving, best known for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, came to Granada and spent a lot of time with the people camping out in the Alhambra. He asked them for the stories and legends that they had heard about the place. He wove their stories in with the historical research he did and wrote the book, Tales of the Alhambra. It became quite popular and the first tourists came to visit. The Spanish government realized it should really try to restore it and now it is one of the most popular sites to visit in Spain. It had so many visitors in fact, that it began limiting it to only 8,000 people a day. There is a plaque honoring Irving in the palace.
The gardens with its pools and fountains, flowers and fruit trees are as important in Islamic architecture as the buildings and artwork. All of one's senses should be delighted, your sight with the colors and designs, your hearing with the sound of the fountains, your sense of smell with the aroma of flowers and taste with the delicious fruits. They were trying to create heaven on earth. And they did a very fine job!
Amy, what in the world am I going to do when you come home? EVERY morning after I get up, do my daily startup routine, eat breakfast and read the paper, I check in with your travels. I have loved seeing all the places you have visited including some we visited (Barcelona, the Alhambra, and many others) that you write about and show us again. It has been so great, and the remembrances of the incredible Alhambra are so appreciated. Thank you!
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