Alcazaba Fortress, Granada

Muslims and mulwalladins (converts to Islam) never really got along well. Not even in the ninth century. Sawwar ben Hamdun found it necessary to build a fort. The current Alcazaba was built by Mohammed I. He threw up a rampart around Hamdun's works, improved defenses and erected three towers.

The towers were the Broken Tower (Torre Quebrada), the Keep (Torre del Homenaje), and the Watch Tower (Torre de la Vela). The Watch Tower is the favorite among visitors for its stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Mohammed liked it because he could see his enemies when they were yet far away.

The Catholic Monarchs installed a huge bell in the Watch Tower called La Vela (the Sentinel). La Vela would always be rung on significant state occasions. It also rings to observe the Day of Conquest (Dia de la Toma), each January 2nd.

Below the tower flows the River Darro. The right bank is lined with ancient bridges, priories and palaces. In view are the Chancilleria, the Plaza Nueva, and the Paseo de los Tristes. There are four other towers: The Arms Tower (Torre de las Armas), the Justice Tower (Torre de la Justicia), and the two Vermillion Towers (Torres Bermejas).

The Mexican Poet, Francisco A. de Acaza, left these words on the wall in the garden of the Ramparts of Alcazaba: "...there is nothing in this life like the grief of being blind in Granada."