Roberts left London for Spain in September 1832 and spent an unhappy winter in Madrid. On 2nd or 3rd February, 1833, he left Cordoba for Granada, arriving on a mule with a German merchant for a travelling companion. He was very impressed with what he saw, believing himself to be the first artist to paint what he called 'the fine old Ruins of the Alhambra'. Among the many studies made in Granada lot 67, of a Moorish gateway, is dated 10th February and lot 62, of the Alhambra, is dated 19th. Sir David Wilkie wrote to Roberts: "The Alhambraif at all paintable will excite from your hand the highest expectation - after all we have heard and read it remains for your Art to give us an idea of the visible appearances of that romantic fortress.

On or about, 26th February Roberts was ejected from Granda by the military authorities, having annoyed them earlier by making panoramic sketches of the fortified town and surrounding country. Roberts made his way to Gibraltar and Morocco returning to Spain in early 1835. At this time he travelled via Cadiz to Xerex, staying with Scottish friends and enjoying 'tasting Sherrys in perfection'. Much of his work there comprised studies of the church of San Miguel, in lot 63 the domed building at the centre of the compostion