Granada's Alhambra Palace is Europe's favourite tourist destination. In 2015, a total of 2.5 million visitors went to explore this spectacular Arab complex which dates back to the Mediaeval era in Spain – a number that increases year on year and doesn't cease to attract visitors. So busy in fact, that it is advisable to book or buy your entrance tickets in advance. If you still haven't ahd the opportunity to visit this wonder fo the world here is a  a complete tour in 360º room by room...so if you fancy a virtual visit just click on the link and if you are interested in some backgound history, keep reading.

   The Alhambra in 360º          

hen open, click on the red dots or on the photo album in the bottom left hand corner. From there you can choos the room or area you would like to visit.]

The Alhambra and the Generalife of Granada are unique artistic creations and bear exceptional testimony to Muslim Spain of the 16th century. They form an exceptional example of royal Arab residences of the medieval period: neither destroyed nor changed by the alterations of radical restorations, the Alhambra and the Generalife appear to have escaped the vicissitudes of time. Despite the development that followed the Christian conquest, the Albayzín still bears witness to the medieval Moorish settlement, as its urban fabric, architecture and main characteristics (form, materials, colours), were not changed when it was adapted to the Christian way of life, to survive as a remarkable example of a Spanish-Moorish town.

Archaeological excavations have shown that the hill where the Albayzín is now situated has been occupied continuously from as early as the Roman period. In the mid-8th century the region's governor built a fortress where the Plaza de San Nicolás is now located. After the disappearance of the Caliphate of Cordoba (1031), the ephemeral Zirid Emirate of Granada replaced it until 1090: the emirs devoted themselves to the embellishment of their capital, constructed on a site of exceptional beauty. A new defensive enclosure was added and around this a settlement grew up. The town prospered under the Nasrid dynasty and this was reflected by considerable development of the city, but Granada did not become of the important centres of Muslim Spain until much later - in 1238, when Muhammad ibn al Ahmar founded the present Alhambra

The palace was essentially completed in the 14th century by Yusuf I and his son Mohammed V. It is organized around two rectangular courts, the patio de Los Arrayanes and the Patio de Los Lames, and includes a large number of rooms of a highly refined taste, with marble columns, stalactite cupolas, ornamental works in stucco, gaily coloured azulejos , precious wood inlayed and sculpted, and paintings on leather compete with the richness and the delicacy of the natural decor: the water, still and sparkling in immense basins, flows out into the basins of the fountains (the circular fountain of the Court of Lions), glides through narrow canals, and falls in refreshing cascades or jets of water.

When the Reconquista was completed in 1492, the emigration of most of the Muslim inhabitants and the baptism of those who remained, together with settlement by a substantial Christian population, had an effect on the development of the quarter. The new late Gothic or early Plateresque churches and monasteries harmonized with the existing architecture. Both fortress and residence, the Alhambra (Arabic 'The Red') incorporates palaces, guard room, patios and gardens as well as workshops, shops, baths and mosque (independently of the church of Santa María built in the 16th century on the site of the royal mosque). It is enclosed by a massive fortified wall with towers, extended to the south-west.

In the 19th century the lower quarters of the town were transformed and lost their artistic qualities. Much of the significance of the Albayzín lies in the medieval town plan with its narrow streets and small squares and in the relatively modest houses in Moorish and Andalusian style that line then. There are, however, some more imposing reminders of its past prosperity. Among them are the Casa de la Reina (the remains of an aristocratic residence), the Corral del Carbón (an ancient caravanserai), and the former hermitage, converted into the church of San Sebastián. After the Reconquista, Los Reyes Catolicos honoured Granada in many ways and endowed it with many religious monuments. Diego de Siloé, who was trained in Toledo and was one of the initiators of the Plateresque style, became one of the most important architects working in Granada. Among his many masterpieces there is the Patio de la Chancillería.

At a short distance to the east of the Alhambra, the enchantment is extended to the gardens of the Generalife, rural residence of the Emirs. The relationship between the architectural and the natural has been reversed here, where gardens and water predominate over the pavilions, summerhouses and living quarters. The massive boxwood trees, rose, carnation and gillyflower bushes, shrubs ranging from willow to cypress, comprise an absolute masterpiece of the art of horticulture by restoring the Koranic image of paradise to the believers.

Many people have been seduced by its beauty, from the novelist Manuel Vicent, who recreated it in "Un tranvía a la Malvarrosa" (or Tramway to Malvarrosa), to the designer Miuccia Prada, who held a large private party inside with Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.

And even though growing numbers of tourists can be seen within its walls these days, the Valencia Central Market, that gem of Modernist architecture, is celebrating its 100th anniversary without losing the purpose for which it was originally built: selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, pickles and other food under a spectacular structure made of wrought iron, ceramic and glass.

Architects consider it to be not only one of the best markets in Europe, but also of America. There are bigger ones, sucha as the central market in Santiago de Chile, which is enormous in size. But from an architectural point of view, there is no comparison for the professional eye. 

Spread over 8,162 square meters – enough space for 959 food stalls – the market was a very costly project at the time. It also seemed to be under some kind of curse. The decision to build it was made in 1881, but another 47 years went by before the opening ceremony in 1928. King Alfonso XIII laid the cornerstone in 1916, which is why the centennial is being observed this year.

The city of Valencia, which was sponsoring the project, called a public competition in 1910. The winners were two Catalan architects, Francisco Guardia Vial and Alejandro Soler y March. They designed the market, but for reasons that are unclear, but which were apparently related to payment, they refused to take charge of the construction phase, a task that fell to the municipal architects Enrique Viedma and Alejandro Romaní.

The building incorporated elements which were a novelty at the time, such as an enormous underground parking space for loading and unloading food crates in a crowded part of town. The irregularly shaped plot that the market sits on was previously occupied by residential buildings and two convents that were torn down to make way for the Mercado Central.

The market came to symbolize the Valencian bourgeoisie’s desire to modernize the economy. The market also symbolized the evolution of craftsmanship, applied to industry and architecture: locksmithing, ceramics, glass, carpentry and other trades. The market was like a showcase of everything that the city was capable of doing. And it was treated like a cathedral of food. The grandiose nature of the building’s upper portion matches the quality of the produce sold beneath.
Construction work was delayed by an abundance of political and financial crises that rocked City Hall at that period of time. In the meantime, another Modernist market was built in Valencia within the space of three years, the Colón market. It  most probably went up so fast because it was located in a wealthy neighborhood. Curiously, its creator was Francisco Mora, whose bid for the Mercado Central a few years earlier had failed.

The building rises over an area which has been home to local markets for over 1,000 years, beginning with the Muslims who used to set up their food stands near the city wall, says Ángel Martínez, who has co-authored a book about the history of the Mercado Central, making this the longest running market area in Europe.

The Mercado Central forms part of the golden triangle of Valencia’s urban architecture, together with the Lonja de la Seda and the Church of Sant Joan. The space occupied by the three has been a hub of activity, hosting processions, parties and even executions. The last victim of the Spanish Inquisition, Gaietà Ripoll, was hung inside the market after being accused of heresy.

Clogged by traffic for decades, the market square is being gradually pedestrianized. In the meantime, a new parking space is going up behind the building to facilitate access by car. Just like a century ago, much of Valencianos’ lives continues to play out around their central market.