05/30/2026
🏰 History Spotlight: The Alhambra Palace
Perched high above the city of Granada sits one of the most remarkable palaces in the world: the Alhambra.
Built primarily during the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid rulers of Moorish Spain, the Alhambra served as both a royal palace and a fortress. At a time when much of Europe was emerging from the Middle Ages, the Alhambra featured sophisticated irrigation systems, intricate geometric designs, peaceful courtyards, and stunning architecture that still amazes visitors today.
One of the most fascinating facts? The Alhambra was the last stronghold of Muslim rule in Spain. In 1492, the same year Christopher Columbus sailed for the New World, Granada fell to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, bringing nearly 800 years of Moorish influence in Spain to an end.
Today, more than 500 years later, visitors still walk through the same halls, courtyards, and gardens that once housed kings, queens, diplomats, and scholars.
It's not just a palace. It's a place where some of the most important chapters of Spanish and world history unfolded.
We'll be experiencing the Alhambra firsthand on our Spain Staycation tour in April 2027.