The Alhambra in Granada, not surprisingly, has been marked by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.  According to the Spanish tourism office, "Alhambra means "red castle", a name derived from the colour of its walls made from the clay that was extracted from the very hill on which it stands. This military enclosure, flanked by massive towers, is entered by five well-protected gates. Separate from the rest of the enclosure, the "Alcazaba" or Moorish fortress had its own entrance, which is closed today because of later fortifications.  Granada has the best preservation of the time of the Arab rule of Al-Andalus, the Moorish name for Spain.

The city witnessed the end of Arab rule in Spain when Boabdil, the last Nasrid king, surrendered and handed the keys of the city to the Catholic Monarch on January 2nd, 1492. Legend has it that the Arab king could not help bursting into tears when for the last time he turned to look back at the city of Granada. his mother reproached him with a sentence that has become famous: 'Weep like a woman since you couldn't defend yourself like a man.'"

If you go to see the Alhambra palace you should try to go in Spring or Fall when it is not as hot in the South and there are less tour groups which distract from the beauty of the palace.  You should read up about the Arab history of Spain before you visit the Alhambra, to fully appreciate it.