Upon his 1829 arrival in Granada, Spain, American author Washington Irving was immediately charmed by the city's beauty and picturesque qualities. While researching a book on the conquest of Granada, he gained access to the Alhambra Palace, which had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect. Irving became a guest at the ancient fortress, where he found himself in the company of several colorful inhabitants. During his sojourn, the writer became increasingly enamored of the grand palace and its wealth of history and folklore.
The result is this captivating collection of essays, sketches, and tales. As Irving notes in his Preface, "It was my endeavor scrupulously to depict its half Spanish, half Oriental character; its mixture of the heroic, the poetic, and the grotesque; to revive the traces of grace and beauty fast fading from its walls; to record the regal and chivalrous traditions concerning those who once trod its courts; and the whimsical and superstitious legends of the motley race now burrowing among its ruins." A must-read for modern-day visitors to the Alhambra, this edition presents a fascinating selection of Irving's observations and stories.

Inhalt

Preface to the Revised Edition

The Journey

Palace of the Alhambra

Important Negotiations: The Author Succeeds to the Throne of Boabdil

Inhabitants of the Alhambra

The Hall of Ambassadors

The Jesuits' Library

Alhamar, The founder of the Alhambra

Yusef Abul Hagid, The Finisher of the Alhambra

The Mysterious Chambers

Panorama from the Tower of Comares