Order of Alhambra the last Moorish stronghold in Spain conquered by the forces of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile in 1492. It was after the completion of the Reconquista that the Spanish monarchs decided to fund Christopher Columbus' initial voyage to the Americas. Spanish, and arguably European, culture changed significantly with this change of leadership, especially since the Catholic religion became the dominant religion in the Iberian Peninsula. The significance of the conquest of the Alhambra in the spread and free practice of the Catholic faith, in Iberia and the Americas, greatly inspired the founder, much as Columbus himself
Tales of the Alhambra essays and short fiction pieces, it was referred to as his "Spanish "Sketch Book"". Shortly after the book's publication, Irving returned to New York after a 17-year absence from the United States. In 1851 Irving wrote an "Author's Revised Edition", also titled "Tales of the Alhambra". The book was instrumental in reintroducing the Alhambra to Western audiences. A plaque now marks the rooms in which Irving stayed while writing some of his book. Alexander Pushkin's 1834 tale in verse "The Tale of the Golden Cockerel" is based on two chapters of "Tales of the Alhambra". In turn, the Pushkin poem