Nazari Palaces

One of the most beatiful things I've seen. The Courtyard of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) in the Alhambra. Although I would have liked to see it fully working, with the central fountain complete -because, for some reason, the upper section has been displaced- and with the ambience of those times. Its a very captivating place, with a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere, it makes you want to be there and stay for a good while.



In the orginal version, the water flowed by diverse canalizations and ducts, gained pressure and propelled water streams from the lions mouth and through the different stages of the fountain itself. Also water slopes runned by the four ways that converged in the center, each one starting on the rooms and the entrances. The missing part of this fountain, is located on one of the gardens, between the fortification towers, alone, like abandoned.

To be able of visiting the Alhambra, I have had to change my bus ticket back to Madrid for one on the next day, and then, after loosing that bus, changed it again for a ticket a few hours later (yes, I've changed the tickets two times). I've also taken the risk of not being able to reach the flight back home, because I'll be letting only one hour between the arrival at Estación Sur and the departure from Barajas Airport, Madrid. If the bus delayed just half an hour... Luckily there were no problems.



An extra place to emphasize, all made of marble, and like always, we're being accompanied by the watery sound. The Courtyard of Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes), in the Comares Palace; here the decorated fronts are reflected on the pool, sometimes you are able to see colorful little fishes getting closer to the surface. The water is dark green, like the trees around, myrtles (arrayanes). I cannot avoid remembering the Myrtles Woods (Bosque de Arrayanes) in Patagonia, Argentina.