THE ALHAMBRA: CARLOS V PALACE, Granada

The only part I haven´t told you anything about yet is the palace area. It can be devided in two: La Casa Real and La Casa Real Nueva. The latter is also called the Palacio de Carlos V, because it was constructed by him in 1527 in an endeavor to emulate the Palace of the defeated Moslems and to make himself a habitable ´house´.
The Casa Real was for me the highlight of the Alhambra with its fantastically decorated rooms (what an amazing stone work!!), such as: the Court of the Lions, Court of the Myrtles, Sala de los Mozárabes, Sala de Abencerrajes, Sala de las Dos Hermanas and Sala de los Ajimeces.
The palace is lavishly decorated with stone and wood carvings and tile patterns on most of the ceilings, walls, and floors. Very nice!

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Casa Real Nueva - New Royal House / Palace.

The most striking thing about this palace, for me personally, was how it is so utterly different from the rest of the Alhambra. There is nothing sensuous or alluring about this place. It is strong, masculine, rigid and triumphant. It reeks of military.

Today is houses the Museum of the Alhambra and The Museum of Music and Dance. Apparently concerts are held here too.

The Palace de Carlos V can be distinguished by its circular courtyard. The architect was a student of Michaelangelo in Rome. This is the only monument which does not feature typical Arabic architecture and design as most all the other monuments in Alhambra

This Palace was begun in 1533 by Charles V but then abandoned when the King decided upon Madrid as his capital.

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This circular courtyard inside was once used as bullring .This palace is one of the emperor's projects for the city of Granada.

So this big square building is sitting in the midst of all the Moorish architecture. Square on the outside, circular in the middle. The museum is of some interest.

After the Castillian conquest, Alhambra was modified and the Carlos V Palace was built in the middle of 16th century. This Renessaince Palace houses a museum.

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A much later addition to the Alhambra complex. Once bullfights were held here. Now home to the interesting museum, and a good sun trap on a nice day!

The famous ALHAMBRA. This fortress and part palace gets its name from the hill on which it stands, the 'Al-Hambra' or the 'Red One'.

There are quite a bit of cool things to see in the Alhambra, and this is the palace. I think this is where all the rulers stayed, but am not quite sure. It's still a nice looking building though