WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE
It is here, legend tells us, the wife of Boabdil, the last Nasrid ruler of Granada, would meet
her lover. Believed to be a knight of the Abencerrajes family, their love affair resulted in the
bloodied death of his noble people whose throats were cut.
The rest of the terrace is planted with orange trees, myrtle and rose bushes but has seen its
vegetation change over the centuries according to the taste of the times.
The array of plants and trees in the many gardens which make up the Alhambra were
stunning. The landscaping was spectacular and gazing from on high, through the narrow
openings in the ancient walls or the wide balconies, its splendour could be appreciated in all
its glory. Walking through the gardens there was little shade for a hot, Spanish summer day
so the water that runs in narrow channels along the many sloping walkways served visitors
well in cooling hands and brows. Drinking fountains strategically placed were also a
blessing.
We decided to eat at the American Hotel Restaurant within the grounds of the fortress. It
caught our eye from the outside with its rambling greenery over the door. Inside, the main
eating area was a conservatory with a cobbled floor. The menu was quite expensive but we
had eaten previously so merely ordered a large portion of chips which cost five Euros. Our
granddaughter had an ice-cream to follow which she found delicious but it was served in a
sundae glass and was about the size of a two finger Kit Kat. Despite it being costly we
would love to stay at the American Hotel sometime in the future, visiting the Alhambra for
more than one day and enjoying the historical city of Granada.
We will definitely go back and we hope you too will find the time to visit the greatest
example of Moorish architecture in existence and enjoy its history and its vibrance.
AlahambraGranada
Hotel America
12 | May 2016