Tales of The Alhambra

Washington Irving

• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781513269689, 9781513219110
• eBook ISBN: 9781513274683
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Folklore & Mythology
• Index: Literature

Compiled during a three-month stay in Granada, Spain, Tales of the Alhambra assembles descriptions, myths, and narratives of historical events. After completing a literary project in Madrid, author Washington Irving traveled to Granada, Spain. Immediately taken by its beauty and extravagance, Irving requested a travel guide and began filling notebooks and journals with his observations and description of the magnificent setting. Beginning with an expedition through the Andalusian mountains on horseback, cherishing the grandeur of the nature, Irving took his time to enjoy and observe the landscape and culture of the country. After their horseback ride through the mountains, Irving and his guide stopped at an inn for a drink. During their stay, Irving witnessed artistic culture through music and dance, noting how the locals seemed to celebrate every-day occurrences, creating a happy environment. Upon entering the city, Irving requested permission from the governor to stay at the Alhambra palace. Originally built on the ruins of Roman buildings, the Alhambra was a small fortress built in 889 CE, and had been largely ignored and forgotten by the time Irving arrived in Granada. While staying in the Alhambra, Irving explored the abandoned palace and recollected the myths set within its walls, recording every detail of its architecture, story, and mystery.

The Alhambra palace had been mostly forgotten, and left unmaintained until Washington Irving's narrative and recollections revived interest. Upon its original publication in 1832, Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra piqued the curiosity of readers who were completely engrossed in Irving's description of the previously abandoned fortress. With delicate prose and intricate detail, Tales of the Alhambra appeal to readers' sense of adventure, and allows its audience to explore the wonders of Granada, Spain alongside Washington Irving.

This edition of Washington Irving's Tales of the Alhambra features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in a font that is both modern and readable, inviting contemporary audiences to divulge in the grandeur and beauty of a medieval fortress.

Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.

With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• The Journey
• Palace of the Alhambra
• Important Negotiations—The Author Succeeds to the Throne of Boabdil
• Inhabitants of the Alhambra
• The Hall of Ambassadors
• The Jesuits’ Library
• Alhamar, The Founder of the Alhambra
• Yusef Abul Hagig—The Finisher of the Alhambra
• The Mysterious Chambers
• Panorama from the Tower of Comares
• The Truant
• The Balcony
• The Adventure of the Mason
• The Court of Lions
• The Abencerrages
• Mementos of Boabdil
• Public Fêtes of Granada
• Local Traditions
• The House of the Weathercock
• Legend of the Arabian Astrologer
• Visitors to the Alhambra
• Relics and Genealogies
• The Generalife
• Legend of Prince Ahmed al Kamel—Or, The Pilgrim of Love
• A Ramble Among the Hills
• Legend of the Moor’s Legacy
• The Tower of Las Infantas
• Legend of the Three Beautiful Princesses
• Legend of the Rose of the Alhambra
• The Veteran
• The Governor and the Notary
• Governor Manco and the Soldier
• A Fête in the Alhambra
• Legend of the Two Discreet Statues
• The Crusade of the Grand Master of Alcántara
• Spanish Romance
• Legend of Don Munio Sancho de Hinojosa
• Poets and Poetry of Moslem Andalus
• An Expedition in Quest of a Diploma
• The Legend of the Enchanted Soldier
• The Author’s Farewell to Granada
• A Note About the Author
• A Note from the Publisher