This book was so instrumental in reintroducing western audiences to The Alhambra that a plaque now marks the rooms in which Irving stayed while working on some of the book.

Originally visiting Granada as research for another book, Washington Irving immediately fell in love with "a most picturesque and beautiful city, situated in one of the loveliest landscapes that I have ever seen." Thanks to his celebrity status his request to access the palace was granted and inspired him to write Tales of the Alhambra. Combining description, myth, and the stories of real historical events, Irving paints pictures of this incredible place.

This edition is based on the author's own revised edition and is complete and unabridged with all of the drawings and page illustrations of the original edition.