Tales of the Alhambra: A Selection of Essays and StoriesUpon 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. |
Contents
| 1 | |
Palace of the Alhambra | 29 |
The Author Succeeds to the Throne of Boabdil | 41 |
Inhabitants of the Alhambra | 49 |
The Hall of Ambassadors | 53 |
The Jesuits Library | 59 |
Alhamar The Founder of the Alhambra | 61 |
Yusef Abul Hagig The Finisher of the Alhambra | 69 |
Public Fêtes of Granada | 91 |
Legend of the Arabian Astrologer | 99 |
Visitors to the Alhambra | 117 |
Legend of the Rose of the Alhambra | 121 |
The Veteran | 137 |
The Governor and the Notary | 139 |
A Fête in the Alhambra | 147 |
Spanish Romance | 151 |
The Mysterious Chambers | 73 |
Panorama from the Tower of Comares | 81 |
The Truant | 87 |
Poets and Poetry of Moslem Andalus | 155 |
The Authors Farewell to Granada | 163 |
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Common terms and phrases
Aben Habuz Abencerrages Abu Ayub Ahmed alforjas Alhamar Alhambra ancient Andalusian Arabian astrologer aunt battlements beauty behold Boabdil bosom bronze horseman captain-general castle cavaliers centre chambers charm chivalry Christian cloaks command conquest contrabandistas cried damsel dancing Darro delight descended Dolores elegant Elizabetta enchanted escopetero escribano eyes famous favorite flowers fortress gallery gardens gate Generalife gerfalcon governor grace Granada groves guard guitar Hafsah Hall of Ambassadors hand heart Hernando del Pulgar hill horses inhabitants Irem Jacinta Lindaraxa lofty look lover lute magic Malaga Mateo Ximenes monarch Moorish king Moors Morisco morning Moslem mountains muleteer mysterious neighbors night noble once palace passed poetical portal posada possession princes princess romance rose round royal ruins Sancho scene Señor Seville Sierra Sierra Nevada silver soldier Solomon the Wise sovereign Spain Spaniard Spanish splendor talisman thou Tia Antonia took tower traveller Vega Vivarrambla walls whole window Yusef