Granada (population 250,000) is about 420km south of Madrid in Andalusia, sitting at the foot the Sierra Nevada mountains, which at this time of year are snow-capped, which made for a lovely approach to the city, particularly after many kilometres of olive tree groves - it would seem that the Spanish economy (or at least that of southern Spain) is based almost entirely on olive oil!
Interestingly, the stop that I did get off at (one stop early as it turns out; in my defence they are not very well signed, and the driver indicated to me that it was my stop - obviously because he thought all tourists want that stop) has one of the best views of the Alhambra (which would give credibility to the driver thinking that was the stop I wanted). So, a nice little diversion as it turns out, and no real harm done. Remedios showed me the way, and even stopped at a local mini-mart (basic corner store) so I could get a few things, even though she had to head back to work (as a Latin & Greek teacher).
I am in an area called Albaicin, which is one of the oldest parts of the city - hence the small, winding, narrow, cobble-stoned streets (and hence the micro-bus as it's called, which also has to go in a circular one-direction route, as there would be no room for passing); the north African influence is everywhere, with a real Moroccan / Moorish / Arabic feel to the place.
Now I know that I mentioned the view of the Alhambra from the bus-stop as being one of the best in the city; well, that is actually topped by the view of the Alhambra from the roof-top terrace of the accommodation! Another absolute bonus! The Alhambra is a Moorish palace and fortress complex with sections dating to the mid-11th Century (although the first building here was in 889), and the main reason for Granada's tourism. As well as the view, the apartment is a lovely 1-bedroom apartment that I have to myself, with separate lounge, kitchen and bathroom. Fortunately for me, it also has a washing machine (it was about time), and did I mention the roof-top terrace yet - well, it's also the spot for drying washed clothes, so another reason to go up there (not that a reason is needed, with views so spectacular).
Again, a massive structure, but easily missed (for example, when you're on a bus from the train station ...), as it is almost totally surrounded by other buildings in close proximity, so it is only on entering that you get an idea of the size of this place. The chapels are numerous and ornate (overly so on both counts), the obvious wealth phenomenal, and the space quite huge.
Unlike most cathedrals in Spain, construction of this cathedral had to await the acquisition (repatriation, resumption, forced take-over - call it what you will) of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada from its Muslim rulers in 1492. With the foundations for the church laid starting from 1518 to 1523 atop the site of the city's main mosque (does anybody else see a pattern here?); it took 181 years to be completed. Of note in this structure are five naves instead of the usual three, and most unusually, a circular capilla mayor rather than a semicircular apse.
The cathedral defies any real description, so I'll leave it to the photographs.
But before I did turn in, I decided to duck back up to the roof-top terrace to take in the view of the Alhambra at night, which I knew would be lit up and I wasn't disappointed - and you can see the result below (at last, I finally had a reason to use the tripod that I've been carting around with me - thanks for the advice Dean; I think you'll agree that it has proven its value!)