Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level.
The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. The Almohad urbanism with some fine examples of Moorish and Morisco constructions is preserved at the part of the city called the Albaicin.
Granada is also well-known within Spain due to the prestigious University of Granada and, nowadays, wild night-life. In fact, it is said that it is one of the three best cities for college students (the other two are Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela).
The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the heraldic device of Granada.
ARCHITECTURE OF GRANADA
There are many important Moorish and Catholic architectural sites in Granada:
Capilla Real. Royal Chapel, with the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Kings
El Albayzin, or Albaicin: The ancient Arab quarter, containing many original houses from the 16th century
The Charterhouse: One of the most impressive pieces of ornamental Baroque in Spain
Calle Caldereria: An Albayzin street where you can taste Arab typical food, especially teas and desserts from North Africa
El Carmen de los Martires: A lovely palace with a beautiful botanic garden near the Alhambra
Santa Ana Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style
San Salvador Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style. With Moorish Almohad patio from the former mosque
El Corral del Carbon: Deposit of merchandise and shelter of merchants. Adapted after 16th century for theater plays
Hospital Real: Founded in 1504 by the Reyes Catolicos, now part of the University
Santo Domingo Church: Founded in 1512 by the Reyes Catolicos
San Jose Church: On the site of the "moans" Almorabitin, the mosque of the morabites, one of oldest in Granada, dating from the 10th century
Sacromonte Abbey: Founded in the 17th century. Legend says that the catacombs under the church were the site of the martyrdom of San Cecilio, the city's first bishop and now its patron saint
Old University: Now the School of Law, it retains its original 17th century facade
Bermejas Towers: Strongpoints on the encircling wall of the Alhambra, they date from the 8th and 9th centuries
Basilica San Juan de Dios: Basilica where the rest of this saint rest. Sample of Granada's baroque
The Gate of Elvira: The principal Gate to the old city Part of the Moorish wall
Casa de los Tiros, 16th century. With a complex iconographic program of sculputure and painting about Spanish history and full of cryptograms, it was the palace of Gil Vazquez-Rengifo, who helped the Catholic Kings in the fight for the city. Nowadays it is a museum where visitors can follow the history of Granada from the Middle Age to the present day
The 16th century Castril palace which hosts the Archaeological Museum of Granada
Although many Muslim buildings were destroyed by the Christian era in Granada those that are remaining make the most complete group of Moorish housing architecture in Europe. Palaces like Dar al Horra, or Alcazar Genil, or houses like the house of the Horno de Oro, the house of Chapiz, or the house of Aben Humeya, are only some of the most famous.
Public Baths like El Banuelo or Alhambra Baths, and the complex of Arab public fountains and wells (aljibes), are unique in Europe. The Nasrid infrastructure net that feeds them (acequias) still functions in its majority: The Royal Acequia and the Cadi Acequia are some of them.
DISTRICTS OF GRANADA
The city of Granada is divided into different districts, with their own specifics.
• The Realejo:
Realejo was the Jewish district at the time of the Nasride Granada. The integration of the Jewish people was so important, that Granada was known from the Al-Andalûs Country under the name of Granada of los judios (in Arabic, Garnata Al Yahood). It is today a district made up of many Andalusian villas, with gardens opening onto the streets, called Los Carmenes.
• The Cartuja:
This district contains the Carthusian monastery of the same name: Cartuja. This is an old monastery started in a late Gothic style with Baroque exuberant interior decorations. In this district also, many buildings were created with the extension of the University of Granada.
• Bib-Rambla:
The toponym existed at the time of the Arabs. Nowadays, Bib-Rambla is a high point for gastronomy, especially in its terraces of restaurants, open on beautiful days. The Arab bazaar (Alcaiceria) is made up of several narrow streets, which start from this place and continue as far as the cathedral.
• The Sacromonte:
Sacromonte is located on the extension of the hill of Albaycin, up the river of Darro. There are many caves dug into the rock, painted in white. The gypsies, people driven out of all parts of Europe, settled here starting in medieval times. Here they developed, Zambra Gitana, Andalusian dance originating in the Middle East, and which became flamenco. This zone is a protected cultural environment, under the auspices of the Centro de interpretación del Sacromonte.
• The Albaicin:
Albaicin, a hill located on right bank of the river Darro, transports the visitor to a unique world: the site of the ancient city of Elvira, so-called before the Zirid Moors renamed it Granada. It housed the artists who went up to build the palaces of Alhambra on the hill facing it. Time allowed its embellishment.
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The Alhambra, Granada
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ARCHITECTURE OF GRANADA
