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On the brow of the lofty hill of the Albaycin,
the highest part of the city of Granada, stand the
remains of what was once a royal palace, founded
shortly after the conquest of Spain by the Arabs.
It is now converted into a manufactory, and has
fallen into such obscurity, that it cost me much
trouble to find it, notwithstanding that I had the
assistance of the sagacious and all-knowing Mateo
Ximenes. This edifice still bears the name by
which it has been known for centuries, namely,
`La Casa del Gallo de Viento,' i. e. The House of
the Weathercock. It was so called from a bronze
figure of a warrior on horseback, armed with shield
and spear, erected on one of its turrets, and turning
with every wind; bearing an Arabic motto, which,
translated into Spanish, was as follows:

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This Aben Habuz, according to Moorish chronicles,
was a Captain in the invading army of Taric,
and was left by him as Alcayde of Granada. He
is supposed to have intended this warlike effigy as
a perpetual memorial to the Moslem inhabitants,
that, surrounded as they were by foes, their safety
depended upon being always on their guard, and
ready for the field.

Traditions, however, give a different account of
this Aben Habuz and his palace, and affirm that his
bronze horseman was originally a talisman of great
virtue, though, in after ages, it lost its magic properties,
and degenerated into a mere weathercock.

The following are the traditions alluded to.