Saga Magazine – August 2018

TRAVEL

EDITOR:

GUY

PIERCE.

ALAMY,

GETTY,

4CORNERS

82 SAGA.CO.UK/AUG-MAG^ I^2018

Eight must-

The Alhambra

Granada

Originally a small

fortress, the

Alhambra was

converted into

a grand Moorish

palace in the

1300s. One of

the most stunning

sets of buildings

and gardens in

the world, it’s

hardly surprising

that it’s the

most popular

historical site in

the country.

Alcazaba

Málaga

Overlooking this

historic port and

the Med is the

best-preserved

11th-century

alcazaba

(citadel) in Spain.

Nearby are the

ruins of a Roman

theatre and the

Aduana Palace

• Roman, Arab
  and Renaissance
  culture within
  a few metres.

Medina

Azahara

near Córdoba

Medina Azahara

(shining city) was

built to impress in

the 10th century,

with huge halls,

mosques and

gardens. It’s

the largest

archaeological

site in Spain

and about

a tenth of it has

been restored.

The Alcázar

Seville

Built for Christian

king Peter of

Castile on the

site of a Muslim

fortress, this is

the oldest royal

palace still

in use in Europe.

A magical

marriage of

Iberian and

Islamic artistry,

it’s an impressive

complex of

palaces,

courtyards and

gardens.

The cities of Seville, Córdoba, Málaga and Granada

• heavily influenced by the Moors – were from 700
  to 1609 among the most scientifically and culturally
  advanced in Europe. David Hurst is spoilt for choice

THIS

MONTH

Spotli

ght

on...

historic