Description
By: Washington Irving (1783-1859)
Washington Irving’s The Alhambra is a mesmerizing collection of tales and sketches that transport the reader to the enchanting world of the Moors and Spaniards. Irving’s prose is rich and evocative, painting vivid portraits of the characters and settings within the walls of the Alhambra palace.
The stories within the book are a delightful mix of history, folklore, and romance, weaving together elements of the past and present to create a captivating tapestry of life in Moorish Spain. From the ghostly legends of the palace to the everyday interactions of its inhabitants, Irving skillfully captures the essence of a bygone era.
The Alhambra is not just a book, but a journey through time and space, inviting readers to lose themselves in its pages and experience the magic of a place steeped in centuries of history. Irving’s love for the Alhambra shines through in every word, making this a must-read for anyone interested in the beauty and mystery of Spain’s Moorish past.
Book Description:
This is a collection of essays, verbal sketches, and stories by Washington Irving. Irving lived at the Alhambra Palace while writing some of the material for his book. In 1828, Washington Irving traveled from Madrid, where he had been staying, to Granada, Spain. At first sight, he described it as “a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen.” He immediately asked the then-governor of the historic Alhambra Palace as well as the archbishop of Granada for access to the palace, which was granted because of Irving’s celebrity status. Aided by a 35-year old guide named Mateo Ximenes, Irving was inspired by his experience to write Tales of the Alhambra. Throughout his trip, he filled his notebooks and journals with descriptions and observations though he did not believe his writing would ever do it justice. He wrote, “How unworthy is my scribbling of the place.” A commemorative plaque in Spanish at the Alhambra reads, “Washington Irving wrote his Tales of Alhambra in these rooms in 1829”. The book was instrumental in reintroducing the Alhambra to Western audiences.
