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Granada must have one of the most spectacular settings of any city in Spain, perhaps Europe, maybe even beyond. It lies on a wide, fertile plan with the permanently snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada forming an impressive backdrop. It's these snow-capped peaks which have guaranteed the city's success - ensuring a constant water supply long before humans had even learned how to conjugate irrigation, never mind put it into practice. Combined with it's relative proxamity (sic) to the sea which ensured a milder climate than some of the cities further inland, and you can see why this was an area that many different cultures and civilizations coveted over the centuries.

Granada was first settled in the prehistoric period, and was known at that time as Ilbyr. Then came the Romans, who built their own city here and called it llibris. Fast forward to 711 and the invading Arabs. They named the city Granada, and liked it so much, they remained until 1492 when it was the last Muslim city to reconquered by the Christians.

So much for history. Although the main attraction in Granada is not the shopping and nightlife, or hands-on, state-of-the-art, visitor attractions; the reason visitors flock to this city is firmly rooted in history, especially its Moorish history.

While Cordoba was at one time by far the most important city of Eastern Islam, as the re-conquest took hold, Granada's importance grew with the influx of more and more displaced Arabs. Eventually, when Cordoba fell in 1236 (with Seville soon to follow), Granada assumed the mantle as the most important city in Moorish Spain.

This was the period when Granada's most important monuments were constructed.

The Alcazaba originally dated fro the 9th century, but was enlarged and modified in the 13th century by Muhammed III, as his private residence. Apparently, because the clay used in the construction glows so fiery in the setting sun, it became known as The Red Castle - Calat al-Hamra - Alhambra.

This was what we came to see - and if what we had read and heard about it was to be believed, so was much of the holidaying population of Europe. The Alhambra is described as one of THE places to see, not just in Spain, not just in Europe, but on the planet. It is so popular, that only a limited number of visitors are allowed to visit on a daily basis - don't ask how many, I haven't got a clue.

It's recommended that you book your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment. Naturally, having unlimited access

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