He boasts the Spaniard nicknamed Sancho, an alias he enjoys ( this is the land of the renowned Don Quixote), his rifle raised high above his head that no bandits will threaten them in their journey, but keeps it safely unloaded and behind his back. In the spring of 1829 Washington Irving America's first great writer, with an unnamed low - ranking Russian diplomat, a new friend begins a leisurely expedition on horseback from Seville to Granada, a young guide takes them through the Andalusian mountains. This book survives because of Irving's ability to recreate a beautiful and romantic past for the ever elegant Alhambra Palace. 'Tales of the Alhambra' was published in 1832 and has been in continous print. They are charming tales clearly inspired by Miguel Cervantes. The second half of 'Tales of the Alhambra' is a collection of romantic tales inspired by the Alhambra's Moorish and Spanish past. In that work, Cervantes interjected long romantic tales into the middle of the narrative. As a young man, Washington Iriving was inspired to learn Spanish after having read Miguel Cervantes' 'Don Quixote'. One can only imagine Irving's influence in shaping the Orientalist craze that played out in the Nineteenth Century European art. His beautifully detailled descriptions of the deteriorating palace and its inhabitants fit well within the romantic vision that was beginning to sweep Europe.

Irving was permitted to reside within the palace grounds. The first section chronicles Irvings 1829 visit to the crumbling Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. Washington Irving's 'Tales of the Alhambra' is really two books in one.

Tales of the alhambra book