Andalucia 2012 – Granada’s Albayzin District –

I find the Great Mosque but cannot enter. There's a fountain in the courtyard and a great view of the Alhambra in the distance. The view must be spectacular at night.

Andalucia 2012 – Granada and the Alhambra –

"...we passed through a Moorish archway into the renowned Court of Lions... The alabaster basins still shed their diamond drops, and the twelve lions which support them cast forth their crystal streams as in the days of Boabdil..."

Andalucia 2012 – The Alcazar and Surrounds –

The Alcazar was built in 1328 as a military fortification, and was later extended to include gardens, transforming into a residence for the Catholic monarchs after the Reconquista.

Andalucia 2012 – Cordoba’s Jewish Quarter –

The Jewish Quarter is one of the largest and best preserved in Europe. There are two homes of note here, as well as the Synagogue.

Andalucia 2012 – The Mezquita –

The Mezquita was the largest mosque in the Western world, measuring almost 24,000 square meters. It was built in stages between 785 and 987 and would be considered the most important sanctuary of Western Islam.

Andalucia 2012 – Cordoba –

Cordoba was a scholastic center from the 8th century. Under Muslim rule, it celebrated a golden age of cultural revival and was among the most diverse and religiously tolerant cities of its time.

Andalucia 2012 – Toledo –

The finely wrought archways of the Cloister of St. John the Kings is Finely wrought archways surround a courtyard which is lush and beautiful. The orange trees were in full fruit under a roof of bird netting. This cloister would be the finest example of Spanish-Arabesque Gothic architecture I would see on this trip. It would eventually inspire one of my hats.