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Perched on top of the hilly outskirts of the southern Spanish city of Granada, the Alhambra still dominates the skyline as it has dominated Western literature, music, graphic art and architecture for centuries. This former residence and court of the Moorish kings of Granada is now UNESCO listed as a World Heritage Site and one of Spain's most popular tourist draw cards.
Needless to say, it's remarkable. But something struck me as unique before even entering and beholding the beauty of the Nasrid Palaces. For it seems that it's not just mobile phone offers that are moving with the times, but also world tourist monuments. After waiting for a number of early morning hours for tickets into the palatial complex and gardens, visitors are greeted with a sign announcing that they can simply download a tour guide to their mobile phone . Never again will you need to bustle through with a cumbersome tour group - wherever there are mobile phones, you can be your own guide!
The mobile phone deal at the Alhambra was simple. All one needed to do was stand close enough to the active point, launch their mobile phone offered Bluetooth service, receive a text message, accept the contents to prepare the download, and voila! All you ever need to know about fourteenth century Islamic architecture, the culture of the Nasrid kingdom and the Christian influence and intervention on the surrounding site since the sixteenth century!
It's truly historical magnificence and the wonders of the world meeting with modern technological marvels - and going together hand in hand. Plus it makes a fascinating and innovative way to explore the Alhambra site. Many will look forward to seeing this introduced in the future at acclaimed tourist sites all around the world.
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