Dominating the Granada sky
Its disturbing figure dominates the entire sky of Granada with the Torre de Vela as standard and with a clear declaration of intent: La Alcazaba marked the beginning of the city in the Alhambra in the 13th century.
It is the oldest part, everything started there: La Medina, with more than 5.000 people living there, different shops, houses, warehouses and the later palaces so impressive today.
The structure and design definitely indicate that it is a military fortress and that it had defensive purposes. One day, the sultan Mohamed I, arriving from North Africa, decided to look for a site that was well protected and at the same time functional, where he could see the entire territory of Granada. With the natural defence of the hill of Sarika, la Alcazaba started to take the shape as a new town in the Kingdom of Granada.
From the highest part, one can spot the perfect remains of the design of the Medina and the military neighbourhood, as well as the most impressive images of the fertile plain of Granada, the Nasrid Palaces and the Palace of Carlos V.
The famous bell of the tower was put up in the period of the Catholic Kings and was used as a reminder of the conquest.
That's the Alhambra, first a fortress, then a palatino city and now an amazing place for everyone. The best views, without a doubt, from the San Nicolás gazebo.
