The Alhambra truly is a magnificent site. Part fortress, part palace, part extensive garden complex, it absolutely inspires. I hope to put some shots up directly on this site soon, but for now you can check out my most recent Instagram post—that’s where my photography is more current. Despite being thoroughly impressed, I couldn’t help but draw parallels between the ancient and the modern.

I heard a guide mentioning to her group that the emir had the Court of the Myrtles designed in such a way to demonstrate his power to foreign dignitaries. Back in those times, it surely must have evoked awe.

The original part of the complex, the Alcazaba, was used as a fortress to repel invaders. When viewing it from across the valley, one can see how its high walls and position on the hill made it formidable.

Humans lived in more violent times back then. Demonstration of power and belligerent security were much more prudent than today. But do we not do the same with the Olympics every 2 years? How every country tries to out-do each other by building gargantuan stadiums and putting on elaborate opening and closing ceremonies. How every new football stadium or basketball arena needs to be bigger, more impressive, more luxurious. Worse yet, how often do we still fall prey to military proliferation?

I’d like to think we have progressed a long way. We currently live in perhaps the most peaceful time in the history of humanity. That’s incredible! It’s something to celebrate. I try to keep this in mind when viewing such ancient sites in the Old World. The Alhambra is beautiful, and something to be visited and appreciated (there’s of course a huge religious and spiritual component to the site as well). The question I ask myself however, comes to this: now in peaceful modern times, as a species, can we move past boasting and brandishing? For beauty is now different: it's unity, an elevated global consciousness, and a fervor to continue to evolve and change. Let’s make the planet more beautiful.