THE ALHAMBRA 29 



in the wall.* In this tower is hung a famous 

 bell, to be heard, it is said, at Loja, thirty miles 

 away. It is rung on the anniversary of the 

 Conquest of Granada, on which day it is the 

 custom, according to local superstition, for 

 damsels, desirous of husbands, to strike it with 

 all their strength. On the summit of this tower 

 the cross was first planted by el tercer rey, Cardinal 

 Mendoza. The view from the platform, of city 

 and snow-clad Sierra, luxuriant Vega, and white- 

 walled towns and villages, is as extensive as it 

 is beautiful. At the foot of the Torre de la Vela 

 extends the place of arms, defended by two 

 towers, now styled de los Hidalgos and de la 

 Polvora, and formerly known as the Paniagua 

 and Cristobal del Salto names suggesting legends 

 now forgotten. 



An ancient document at Simancas names 

 among the towers connecting the Alcazaba with 

 the rest of the fortress, the Torre del Adarguero, 

 " the Tower in which dwelleth the servant of 

 Doctor Ortiz," the Torre de Alquiza, the Torre 

 de Hontiveros (now the Torre de las Gallinas), 

 and the Tower and Room of Machuca. Of 

 these remains exist, but of another tower, referred 

 to as the Torre de la Tahona, no trace remains. 



The Alcazaba, according to the most recent 

 researches, was separated from the site of the 



* Here was lodged the cavalry of the Moorish Sultans. 



