The guy decided to let us in for free today, just as long as we told him where we live (and where exactly is that these days???).
Built in the 1100s, the town was built into the side of the mountain to overlook the valley below.
You walk through various quarters of the town, including servants' quarters, rich folks' quarters, and staterooms, etc.
This is the main entrance to town from the top.
This is the living quarters area. Imagine it being a bit more hospitable.
That's a bath. It looks kinda lonely.
Another bath. I think this was for watering horses actually.
Oooh, arches!
This facade is actually a reconstruction, and won a number of prizes in archeological circles for being quite well done given the few pieces they had to work with.
The area behind the arch (portal) was an official reception rooom for the Prime Minister and gang.
*splish* *splash*!
This is the kitchen and chef's quarter.
This is the oven. I'll be amazed if that's still the original one!
This is the upper basilica building, and housed the main administrative offices.
these arches are a lot bigger than they look, and tower over the east end of the complex.
MoooO!
Sadly, the mosque here is in particularly bad shape, and is completely off-limits to tourists.
The gardens aren't much better, and you can see what a mess the tiled walkways are. It's kind of like the world's biggest jigsaw puzzle. Without a picture.
You then walk past various important staterooms and audience halls.
This is the most important of the halls, and is where royal court was held.
It has all been painstakingly rebuilt, to wonderful effect.