Spain is the third most visited country in the world. An eventful history has left numerous historical and architectural monuments on its territory. Each of the regions is unique and deserves the attention of tourists. Southern autonomy of Andalusia, for several centuries was part of the states that professed Islam.
The Alhambra
The Red Castle, as translated from Arabic Alhambra, is a large architectural ensemble that includes fortifications, palaces and gardens. It was created over several centuries during the period of Muslim rule.
The territory of the Emirate of Granada has existed for the longest time on the Iberian Peninsula. This period is the heyday of Moorish architecture and architecture.
The Alhambra is a masterpiece of the XIII-XV centuries, containing the best Eastern and European achievements. The complex is admired by millions of tourists in the XXI century. After the fall of the emirate in 1492, the complex became the residence of the Spanish kings.
On the one hand, it has preserved ancient buildings. On the other hand, some of them were demolished during the construction of the palace of Charles V, and the new residence of the XVI century had Renaissance features that did not fit well with the earlier architecture.
The walls of the oldest part of the fortress had 23 towers and 4 gates. They could defend against attacks a small city consisting of 7 palaces, mosques and madrasas, workshops and servants ‘ quarters. The residences of the emirs of the Nasrid dynasty combine luxury, elegance, convenience and comfort. They are connected by magnificent gardens, fragrant with the aromas of flowers. They are decorated with water spaces and fountains that bring coolness to people and life to plants. The Generalife Summer Palace played a special role in the hot area.
Generalife Gardens
The Emirs ‘ summer residence with a green area is located on the Cerro del Sol hill, adjacent to the main Alhambra complex from the east. Previously, the two parts were connected by a bridge over a ravine, which is no longer there. The gardens have a separate entrance and are visited independently of the Alhambra.
The main charm of the summer residence of the rulers, created gardens. They were able to appear on high ground thanks to the most complex engineering system that brought them water. Water, combined with green spaces, creates the picturesque nature of the main part of the park area. The palace itself was not intended to demonstrate the luxury of the Emir’s court, so it is equipped without special frills.
For the garden complex on the slope there are three terraces with a width of 35 m. Two of them appeared 7 centuries ago and are called the Lower Gardens. The upper garden is located on the 3rd terrace and was laid out during the restoration of the object in the XX century. The Generalife has several courtyards connected to each other.
Especially good is the Cypress, the patterns of which are formed by these majestic trees. They are complemented by an openwork mosaic of garden paths made of black and white pebbles. The geometry of the formed trees, exotic plants and a garden of continuous flowering, combined with canals, fountains, viewing platforms and elegant staircases win over connoisseurs of beauty even today.
Charles V’s Palace
In 1526, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who also held the title of Carlos I, King of Spain, married. The wedding took place in Seville, and the couple spent their honeymoon in the Alhambra. Their stay in the former residence of the Moorish emirs was delayed.
The King decided to build his own palace on the territory of the fortress. For the construction of the new residence, the Renaissance art expert Pedro Machuca, who worked in Italy together with prominent Renaissance architects, was invited.
The palace building designed by Machuk is made in the form of an extensive quadrangle with a round courtyard in the middle without a roof. In its design, both the best practices of Italian masters and the architect’s own finds were used. If such a building appeared in Rome or Milan, it would be quite harmonious with the city. In the Alhambra, the ponderous palace became alien to the light and elegant Moorish buildings.
Events did not accompany the construction of the building. At first, the lack of funds affected. In 1550, the architect Machuca died. After 8 years, the customer, Charles V, died. The work was continued by the son of the author of the project, Luis Machuka. By that time, the importance of Granada had diminished, and the palace there was no longer relevant.
Construction stopped and was not continued for long in the XVII century. The roof over the building appeared only in the XX century. Kings never lived in a palace. Today it houses the Alhambra and Fine Arts museums.
Royal Chapel
Granada – the last stronghold of the Moors on the Iberian Peninsula, after the conquest by the Spaniards, for a while becomes the most important city of the state. An outstanding pair of Catholic rulers, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, whose union is largely due to the end of the Reconquista and the beginning of the heyday of Spain, remain in the city, making the Alhambra their residence.
In 1504, on their instructions, the Royal Chapel begins to be built in the city, for the burial of rulers after death. The highest personages did not live to see the end of its construction in 1517 and rested in the monastery of St. Francis. In 1521, their remains were moved to the chapel. Later, the necropolis was replenished with a number of royal burials.
The chapel building is considered one of the masterpieces of Isabelino Gothic with Spanish features. This is the largest and most luxurious burial structure in Spain.
The tombstone of Isabella and Ferdinand is made of Carrara marble, similar to a number of papal tombs in Rome. In the chapel there are three wooden altars, which already have the features of the Renaissance Plateresco style. In the apse of the central nave, the altar is dedicated to John the Baptist. Two altars are located in the hall with tombstones.
The walls of the chapel are decorated with paintings from the collection of Isabella of Castile, most of which were painted by masters of the Nordic countries.
Royal Chancery
Novaya Ploshchad is one of the oldest built-up areas. Among the harmonious ensemble of buildings on it stands out the palace of the Royal Chancery. The mansion was built by order of Charles I in 1531, and finished in 1587. It was the first building in the country specially constructed for a judicial institution.
A number of famous architects participated in its construction: architects, stone craftsmen, sculptors. Their talent and use of a variety of materials made it possible to create a majestic building that admired its contemporaries. It has become an outstanding architectural monument and one of the city’s decorations.
After the construction was completed, the Chancery building housed the Supreme Court of Spain, which served until the 19th century. In 1834, the institution was closed. Justice and the Chancellery are now back together. The building houses the Palace of Justice of Andalusia.
The building is built in the Renaissance style. The entrance is made in the form of an arched portal with double columns supported by a triangular pediment. The windows are decorated with single columns on the sides and pediments of different shapes on top.
A balustrade is made on top of the building, above which decorative columns rise. In the center of the facade, a metal clock tower is installed behind it. The courtyard is particularly cozy, surrounded by porticos around the perimeter.
Madrasa of Granada
It was built under Emir Yusuf I in 1349. Such educational institutions appeared for the first time in Iran in the XI century and gradually spread to the west. As expected, it was located next to the central mosque.
Despite belonging to Islam, in fact, madrasas are considered the first university in the city where they studied law, medicine, mathematics, and theology.
Most of the luxuries characteristic of Yusuf I have been lost. Fragments of the white marble portal in the city’s archaeological museum and part of the building’s interior decor remind us of it. The student rooms were located inside the building and opened onto a magnificent courtyard with a fountain.
Good times for madrasas continued for several years after the establishment of Catholic rule in Granada. It all ended in 1500 after the revolt of Muslims, dissatisfied with the oppression of the Spaniards. The madrasah was closed and looted, and books from the library were publicly burned.
The building became the property of the city. Its first reconstruction was carried out by Charles V. Major reconstruction of the structure took place in 1722. After it, the interiors of the prayer hall, the mihrab and elements of the portal were preserved.
Restoration, which brought the interior decoration of the premises closer to the historical appearance, was carried out at the end of the XIX century. It was reconstructed and in 2006-11, visitors to the madrasah once again see the elegance of the mudekhar architectural style, with partial touches of Baroque.
El Banuelo Moorish Baths
The most Muslim area is considered to be Aibalsin. Its narrow streets have survived almost unchanged to this day. One of the attractions of this territory is the ancient baths of the Moors. It is believed that they were built in the X century. Incredibly, the structure with a thousand-year history is well preserved. These are the oldest baths in Spain.
Their walls and vaults are made of stone. The walls are plastered and painted, and the ceilings have the traditional Arab shape of domes. The ceilings have holes in the shape of stars, creating the illusion of a starry sky. They were used for lighting and ventilation of premises.
The structure of the arches is supported by columns that simultaneously adorn the halls of baths. Especially impressive are the capitals of columns decorated with stone carvings. The floors inside the baths are made of marble in different colors. Special wooden sandals were issued for moving on hot stone.
The basis for the Moorish baths were Roman baths. The entrance to the building is via a patio with a swimming pool. After that, visitors entered a rectangular hall with a changing room and toilet. The baths themselves consisted of three halls.
In the first of them there were baths with cold water, in the second with warm water, and in the third with hot water. Just like the baths in Rome, the baths were a place of intellectual discussions and interest meetings. People also came here to get a massage or get a haircut. Men and women washed on different days.
The Cathedral
After Granada was liberated from the Moors in 1492, Isabella of Castile ordered the construction of a magnificent cathedral to celebrate the Catholic victory over the Muslims. Its construction began only in 1523 during the reign of Charles V on the site of the destroyed mosque.
The work lasted for 181 years, ending at the beginning of the XVIII century. During this time, several architects and styles have changed. The first project involved a Gothic church. In 1528, a new architect redesigned it in the Renaissance style. Who led the construction since 1564, Alonso Cano made his vision and made the main facade Baroque.
It consists of three two-tiered arches, the base of which is pilasters, instead of capitals in the upper part of the lower tier ending in protrusions. Each arch has entrances to the temple. The facade is decorated with medallions and has two round windows in the side arches. The main part of the sculptures of the temple was made by A. Kano.
Inside, the central nave turns into a multi-faceted chapel with a dome. It is decorated with stained glass windows by Flemish masters. The majestic columns of the cathedral are decorated with vertical carvings and Corinthian capitals. The white and gold decor adds rigor and solemnity to the interior space.
Bib Rambla Square
For many centuries, the Bib Rambla has been central to the city. It got its name in honor of the nearby entrance gate to the city. During the years of Muslim rule, the Alcazeria – silk market, main mosque and madrasah-was located near the square.
Jousting tournaments, popular at the time, were held on the square itself. After the Christians came to power, festivals and bullfights were held here. In 1500, bonfires were burning on the Bib Rambla. The square became a place where militant Catholics burned books from the madrasah University library.
The modern square is a harmonious ensemble of spectacular buildings. The perimeter of the space is surrounded by green trees. The center of the square is the Giant Fountain surrounded by flower beds. Its appearance in the style of the Spanish Renaissance dates back to the XVII century.
The fountain was moved to the square in 1940. Tourists come to the Bib Rambla to sit in one of the many cafes or buy souvenirs, inhaling the floral scents wafting from the pavilions for their sale.
Albaysin District
Part of the old town, which has preserved the medieval buildings of the Nasrid period. The area is located on a hill 800 m high and consists of narrow streets and old white houses in Moorish style. It is included in the list of UNESCO Protected Sites.
Since ancient times, there were settlements of Iberians and Romans in this area. Subsequently, they focused on the hill where the modern quarter is located. Historians suggest that the fall of the Roman Empire led to an outflow of population and the area was deserted.
At the beginning of the XI century, a Muslim area surrounded by fortress walls appeared on these lands. During the Nasrid dynasty, the area reached its peak. At the same time, its main development was formed. After the Spaniards came to power, the high concentration of remaining Muslims in Albaicin contributed to the emergence of a rebellion against the Catholic authorities that engulfed the entire city.
Despite the fact that after the uprising, the number of Muslim residents became much smaller, the architectural appearance of the district did not change. Albaixin consists of a network of winding streets stretching between the squares of San Nicolas at the top of the hill and Nueva at the bottom. The houses that are characteristic of the area are called Carmen. These are separate buildings with a small garden or vegetable garden, closed on all sides by a high wall.
Albaicin is home to many attractions. Most of them were built during the Nasrid period and during the Renaissance.
Sacromonte District and Abbey
After the Catholic conquest of Granada in 1492, many residents of the city sought refuge outside the reach of the new government. One of these places was a hill to the east of the city, located across the Darro River Valley from the Alhambra. Initially, there were hidden dwellings in caves hollowed out of rocky slopes.
Later, there were also houses built above the ground. Most of the inhabitants of the new settlement were Spanish Gitanos Gypsies. It is believed that it was here that the famous flamenco was born, from here the most beautiful women of Andalusia appeared. The appearance of each cave was unique, as it depended on the location. Many of them have survived to this day.
11 underground dwellings are part of the Sacromonte Museum and its expositions are located in them. Some of the caves are used for flamenco performances. An incendiary dance combined with the place of origin makes a unique impression. One of the main attractions for visitors to the area is the view of the Alhambra.
The name of the area of Sacramonte, Holy Mountain, appeared at the end of the XVI century. Ancient lead books were found in one of the caves, telling about the life of the first Christian martyrs. The relics of the first bishop of Granada, Saint Cecil, the patron saint of Granada, were also found here.
The cave became a place of pilgrimage, and on the site of the discovery, by order of the Vatican, they began to build an abbey. Construction began in 1598. In 1610, the work was stopped and resumed only a century later. Sacramonte is a complex of religious buildings that includes an abbey, a church, and a seminary.
Park of Sciences
It was opened as a “New type of Museum” and is based on interactive knowledge of the world. It was opened in 1995 and is located on the territory of 70 thousand m2. This place is very useful to visit when visiting Granada for a few days with children who will get tired of the endless masterpieces of the ancient Andalusian city. Yes, and adults to understand some of the problems of the universe will not be superfluous.
Park of Sciences is a museum on the contrary with the motto at the entrance “It is forbidden not to touch”. Most of its objects and exhibits are designed to be touched, turned on, and checked to see how they work. The park space is designed for all curious people over 3 years old.
Any visitor to the park is allowed to experiment, which in practice can help in understanding the phenomena that could not be understood in a boring lesson at school. The museum features 10 interactive spaces located in different buildings.
Among them:
- Eureka – helps you understand the laws of physics, chemistry, and mechanics
- Biosphere – all about life on Earth
- Planetarium-Journey to the stars
- Perceptions-miracles about human feelings
- Research – a place for kids
Church of St. Egidius and St. Anna
It is located east of the cathedral near the Alhambra. The temple began to be built in 1537 on the site of a mosque, partially using elements of an Islamic structure. It was built in the mudehar style, in which the minaret of the mosque, which became the bell tower of the church, fits perfectly. The author of the project was the famous architect and sculptor Diego de Siloe, one of the most significant representatives of the Plateresco style.
Together with their student Sebastian de Alcantara and sculptor Diego de Aranda, they created the temple’s outstanding portal. It is made in the form of a decorated arch with columns, above which statues of saints are installed in niches. Work on the portal was carried out in 1542-47.
The interior space consists of a single nave. On both sides there are chapels decorated with sculptures and paintings of the XVI-XVII centuries. Some of them are significant works of Andalusian masters. At the top, an old suspended ceiling has been preserved. The church is functioning.
Monastery of St. Jerome
Even before the complete victory over the Moors at the siege of Granada, the Catholic kings Isabella and Ferdinand founded a Christian monastery in Santa Fe, located 10 km from the city. Religion was the most important factor in the war, and the promotion of Christianity was paramount.
After the victory of the Reconquista, the monastery was moved to Granada. Construction of the buildings that have come down to us began in 1504 and continued until 1547. A group of architects participated in the construction. Since 1526, the chief architect and sculptor was Diego de Siloe.
The church of the monastery became the burial place of the great Spanish commander, who played a crucial role in the victory of the Reconquista, Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba. He is more commonly known as the Great Captain. In honor of the Grand Captain, a significant part of the subjects of the murals is devoted to his military exploits.
The monastery consists of three parts. In the center there is a church, on both sides of it are attached rectangular covered galleries with arches-cloisters. They are made in two floors around the gardens located in the center. The smaller one houses the monks. The larger one is made in the Renaissance style with shallow arched niches-arcosols, originally planned for the burial of the Great Captain. Their portals are richly decorated.
The church is made with one nave and the main chapel. There are side chapels on both sides of the nave. Numerous sculptures of the temple are made mainly by Diego de Siloe and his students. The main decoration of the church is the altar in the central chapel. It was created in the Renaissance style in the period from 1570 to 1605.
Isabella Square
It is located at the intersection of Reyes Catholicos and Gran via de Colon streets. The center and place of attraction of the square is the monument to Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus. It is set on a pedestal surrounded by fountains and flowers. The author of the monument, Mariano Benlure, made it out of bronze. The composition caught the heroes of the monument at the moment when Columbus submits a petition for funding an expedition going to search for a sea route to India.
As you know, instead of India, the navigator discovered a New World. This made it so famous that even Granadans believe that the monument was erected in honor of Columbus. Isabella’s name is undeservedly less well known, although during her reign Granada was liberated from the Moors.
The Queen’s foresight made it possible to grant Columbus’s request immediately after the Reconquista was completed. She was the only monarch who responded to the request of the navigator. To finance the voyage, she even pawned her jewelry.
Unfortunately, the buildings around the square do not form a harmonious fusion of styles. On the one hand, houses with turrets of the XIX century rise with dignity. On the other side is a huge glass bank. Many interesting sights of Granada are located nearby. The square is a popular starting point for city tours.
Corral del Carbon Coal Yard
The first mention of the Funduk al Gidida caravanserai appears in 1336, during the Nasrid rule, but the exact date of its foundation is unknown. The commercial complex was located near the central bazaar, adjacent to the main mosque and the center. It was used as a hotel for visiting merchants and as a warehouse for storing goods.
At that time, such buildings were nondescript. Hazelnuts of al Gidid belonged to the wives of the rulers and had a more representative appearance. This is the oldest inn in the Iberian Peninsula. In modern Granada, it is located on Via Maria Pineda.
After the conquest of the city, the inn becomes private. Its owners repeatedly change, along with them there are also partial changes to the building, as well as its purpose. In the 17th century, it was used as a residential building, and coal was stored in its cellars. This gave the house the new name Corral del Carbon-the Coal Yard.
In 1918, the Coal Yard received the status of a national monument, and 10 years later it was purchased by the city. The first restoration of the object was carried out in 1929-31. The last repair took place in 2006. The interiors of the building have not been preserved, but the layout remains the same. It is a three-story gallery with columns surrounding a courtyard of 16.8 x 15.6 m with a stone pool in the center.
The main architectural value is represented by the entrance portal made in the form of an arch. Its facade is richly decorated with typical Moorish architecture elements. The space between the arch and the door is one of the masterpieces of honeycomb vaults.
Alcayseria Market
To the right of the main facade of the cathedral is the Alcayseria, the silk market. It was founded during the reign of the Zirids in the XI century, but reached its heyday when the Nasrids were in power. They invested and reconstructed the Alcayseria, and for the merchants who traded on it, they built the Funduk al Gidida caravanserai nearby.
The importance of the silk market was great, as it belonged to the ruling family. Here, in addition to silk, luxury goods were sold. The market area reached an area of 4,600 m2. After the Reconquista was completed, Alcayseria became part of the Spanish Crown.
Its plan of 1787 has been preserved, from which it is known that the shopping area consisted of streets located at right angles and numbered 152 retail outlets. Almost nothing remains of it after the fire of 1843. Later, the Alcayseria was restored to a reduced size in a Neo-Moorish style, reminiscent of Nasrid architecture.
Visitors who get to the bottom of the shopping arcades will be able to find many interesting products. As before, the bazaar has an oriental flavor, and you can buy a variety of products and souvenirs from Morocco and North Africa at low prices.
Carthusian Monastery of La Cartuja
The monastery of the Carthusian Order is located a few kilometers from the city center on a hill. According to legend, the famous commander of the Great Captain in this place miraculously defeated the Moors. In honor of this event, he donated funds to the monastery, which began to be built here in 1506.
The work was carried out for a long time and ended only in the XVIII century. The monastery was active until the expulsion of the monks in 1836. A number of buildings were lost in the subsequent period. A significant part of the monastery has been preserved. In its restored form, it can be seen today.
During the construction process, several architectural eras changed. Externally, the monastery is not impressive. But the interior decoration is an outstanding achievement of the masters of the Baroque style and is considered the best among the Andalusian temples of this style.
The main arched portal is decorated with a figure of the founder of the Carthusian Order of Saint Bruno. Through it, visitors enter a courtyard with orange trees surrounded by covered galleries. The monastery building consists of one nave.
In several rooms there are paintings by famous artists of the XVI-XVIII centuries. Part of the rooms are decorated in the Gothic style. The most impressive are the Baroque sacristy and chapel with altar. Their paintings are surrounded by amazing lace mouldings, creating a sense of airiness.
Basilica of St. John of God
In 1537, Granada became the site of the formation of the Brotherhood of Bonifatres, which is better known as the monastic order of hospitalites. Its founder was John of God, canonized in 1690, and the order began to bear the name of the saint. The purpose of hospitals is to care for the sick, his brothers work in hospitals, many have medical education.
John of God organized a hospital for the poor, near which construction of the church began in 1737. It was consecrated in 1759 in honor of the saint, who is considered the patron saint of the sick, doctors and hospitals.
The church was built in the Baroque style. The height of the dome above it is 52 m. Already at the entrance, the sculptural decoration of the facade attracts, above which rise two small bell towers. The central place in the niche above the arched entrance is occupied by a statue of John of God.
Inside, the church consists of a single nave. The Baroque interior is dominated by gilding, mirrors, marble and ceramics. Most of Diego Sarabia’s frescoes on the temple walls, in the chapels and on the dome are dedicated to the life of Saint John.
The most valuable is the design of the altar of the central chapel. Behind it, on a raised platform, is a chapel with the relics of St. John the Baptist. John of God in the silver Ark.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum of Granada was founded in 1879. Both at that time and in subsequent years, his collection consists of items found exclusively on the territory of the province. The current location of the exhibition was established in 1917. This is the 16th-century Castril Palace in the Sacromonte district.
During the construction of the mansion, noble families of the city settled here. The mansion is considered one of the best buildings of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by the secretary of the Catholic monarchs, Hernando de Zafra, in 1539, built by Diego de Siloe’s pupil, Sebastian de Alcantar. For the museum, the house was purchased by the arabist Egilas y Yanguas.
The exhibition occupies two floors and is divided into 7 thematic zones. The task that the team is trying to solve is to show the peculiarities of the development of the city and region over various historical eras. The museum’s halls display artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iberian, Phoenician, Roman and Arab periods.
Museum of Fine Arts
In the 30s of the XIX century in Spain, there is a massive closure of monasteries and expropriation of their values. In order to preserve the huge artistic heritage inherited by the state and demonstrate it to the general public, art galleries began to open. The Granada Museum of Fine Arts was one of the first museums in Spain to open in 1839.
During its existence, it was located in several places. In 1950, the exhibition appeared in the halls of the Charles V Palace on the territory of the Alhambra. It presents the works of masters of the post-Muslim period from the end of the XV century to the present.
In the first years after the victory of the Reconquista in Granada, painting and sculpture schools did not exist. Therefore, the presented works were made mainly by craftsmen from other cities.
The main halls of the museum are divided by theme:
- Hall I. New order, new art. Late 15th century-first half of the 17th century.
- Hall II. Alonso Cano, artist and sculptor.
- Hall III. Followers of Alonzo Cano.
- Hall IV. Secular painting of the XVII century.
- Hall V. XIX century.
- Hall VI. Granada as a theme.
- Hall VII. Renaissance of the XX century.
- Hall VIII. Contemporary art.
San Nicolas Observation Deck
Mirador, as the viewing platforms in Spain are called, on the square of San Nicolas near the church of the same name – is the best viewing platform in Granada. From here, you can enjoy landscapes with mountains and valleys, where the Alhambra and Generalife are located. The snowcaps of the Sierra Nevada Mountains serve as a backdrop for these attractions.
Few visitors know that the most impressive views will appear if you pay a few euros to climb the bell tower of the nearest church. It offers a circular panorama of Granada and its surroundings.
The location of the mirador is such that to get good pictures, you should climb it in the morning or late in the evening, so as not to take photos against the sun. Fantastic shots are obtained at night against the background of the starry sky, but this requires a support surface or a tripod.
On Mirador de San Nicolas, life doesn’t stop around the clock. There are many tents with souvenirs and food. Local companies come here for picnics. Guitar sounds are almost always heard. The hill is well suited for immersing yourself in the local flavor. Mirador is most crowded in the late afternoon, when visitors come to watch the sunset over the Alhambra.
Basilica of Nuestra Senhora de las Angustias
Carrera de la Virgen Street is filled with people and flowers on September 15. On this day, residents celebrate the feast of the Grieving Virgin Mary, the patroness of the city and province. The low-key Nuestra Senhora de las Angustias church is transformed by a mosaic of carnations, daisies and chrysanthemums.
With the help of firefighters, flowers are raised to the very top of the temple. Flower abundance is formed at the image of the Grieving Virgin, located in the church. The feast will continue on the last Sunday of September, when the Holy Image will be carried out of the basilica to the sound of an orchestra and it will float on its throne through the streets, where citizens will enthusiastically welcome it.
The tradition of worshipping Our Lady of Angus is associated with the memory of Queen Isabella, who gave the city her image. It became so popular that in 1671, a church was built for it, which in 1922 became the papal basilica. The head of the Catholic Church himself at the end of the XIX century, at the request of the authorities of Granada, declared Our Lady of Sorrows the patroness of the city.
The basilica is a magnificent example of Baroque luxury. Especially good is the altar, over which a statue of the Grieving Virgin Mary is placed in the sacristy. She sits on a throne and holds the deceased Savior in her lap. The church has been restored and adequately represents the Spanish Baroque-Churrigero.
Federico Garcia Lorca Center
A few kilometers from the center of the San Vicente estate is the house-museum of the famous poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca. And in 2015, the Federico Garcia Lorca Center opened near the cathedral. Its mission is to promote and popularize both the poet’s creative heritage and contemporary Spanish art.
The center’s building deserves special mention. His project became the winner of an organized International Competition in 2005. The authors of the work were Barcelona studio MX_CI.
The new building is located in the historic district and the task of architects who came up with the building in an avant-garde style was not easy. But everything turned out well. The modern house, fulfilling the utilitarian tasks of a museum space, delicately fits between ancient buildings. In addition, it is recognized as a building that has become an outstanding work of modern architecture. And its authors have received a number of international awards for their work.
Match your home and fill the center, which has become a modern fashion space. In addition to Lorca’s works and archive, events related to the poet’s work, its halls host exhibitions of contemporary artists, concerts, parties, and entertainment excursions.
Darro Street
Along the Darro River, a street with the same name winds along with it. If you walk here in the fall, then a small dried-up stream of water will flow along the riverbed. In the spring months, it is full of water. The Darro once served as a source of water for the Alhambra, for which the Acequia Real aqueduct system was used.
During the Islamic period, a fortress wall was built along the river, and five stone bridges were thrown over it, connecting the Alhambra with Aibalsin. Subsequently, the wall was demolished, and instead of it on the left bank there was a nice street built up with houses, palaces and temples. Now it has become one of the best places for walking.
It is convenient to start from Plaza Nueva. The boardwalk is almost always filled with tourists. Many of the views along the street are worth taking pictures of. The most famous are the wonderful paintings of the Alhambra, located next door.
Small bridges across the river, which appeared many centuries ago, also look romantic. Each of them has a name. The route along the embankment is full of green gardens, there are a lot of cafes and taverns.
In addition to the picturesque city buildings, there are also attractions:
- 16th-century Monastery of Santa Catalina de Safra
- 15th-century Mudejar Safra House
- Castrill Palace of the XVI century with an archaeological museum
- Moorish baths of El Banuelo X century
- Church of Saints Peter and Paul of the XVI century
Dar Al-Orr Palace
The Nasrid Palace was built in the Aibalsin quarter at the beginning of the 15th century. In the second half of the century before the end of the Reconquista, it served as the home of Aisha al-Orr, the wife of Sultan Abul Hasan Ali and mother of the last Nasrid Sultan Muhammad XII, known as Boabdil. Dar al-Orra translates as the home of a free woman. The residence is located on the top of a hill, offering a magnificent all-round view.
After the conquest of the territory by the Spanish in 1492, the palace became the property of the influential secretary of the Catholic monarchs, Hernando de Zafra. In 1493, several important treaties were signed in the residence between the Catholic and Muslim rulers. In 1507, at the behest of Queen Isabella, the palace was transferred to the Franciscan monastery of Santa Isabel la Real.
Dar al-Orra cannot compete with the Alhambra decoration, so it is recommended to visit in front of the famous complex or instead of it. It exhibits many of the characteristic features of Moorish architecture. The layout of the building is traditionally made around a rectangular courtyard with a swimming pool. It is not quite usual to have a two-story arched portico on the north side of the courtyard. On the south side, the arches are only at the bottom.
Before the appearance of the monastery church, the large room on the south side was used as a chapel and part of the wooden painted ceiling has been preserved from it. In the middle part of the building there are rooms protruding from the facade, which were used as viewing platforms. Some of the rooms are decorated with preserved elegant stucco from the Nasrid era.
Jose Guerrero Center for Contemporary Art
Jose Guerero is an outstanding Spanish artist of the 20th century. His name was given to the Center for Contemporary Art, which opened in 2000, at the expense of the master’s widow. The city has paid considerable attention to the exhibition space, allocating a 19th-century mansion near the cathedral for the exhibition.
The artist’s life and work are largely connected with Granada. Here he was born in 1914, spent his childhood years and several decades of creativity until his death in 1991. The center presents 40 paintings and graphics of the master.
Jose Guerero worked in the style of abstract impressionism and is a prominent representative of this trend. Often imitating famous masters in his youth, in adulthood he developed his own individual style, having a significant influence on the formation of Spanish artists.
In the early works presented in the museum, the influence of Matisse, then Picasso and Cubists is noticeable. In the 1940s, Herero lived in Paris and was well acquainted with Picasso. The independence of the master was manifested in the years of his life in the United States. His works participated in many exhibitions, became exhibits of reputable museums around the world.
Initially, the art center contained only the works of Jose Guerero. Today it houses paintings by contemporary artists, and part of the premises is provided for temporary exhibitions.
Garnet Gate
In 1526, the Alhambra was being prepared for the honeymoon of Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. In order to solemnly welcome the royal couple, the fortress gates, which served as a defensive function, were replaced with decorative ones. They are made in the form of a classic triumphal arch: the facade with semi-columns and a portico, having three arches – the central one for the passage and two small ones for the passage on the sides. The material was roughly processed stone.
The gate became known as the Pomegranate Gate in honor of the three open pomegranate fruits that serve as decoration above the pediment. The triangular pommel of the portico itself is decorated with the shield of the monarch with the coat of arms of Spain and figures of allegories of peace and abundance, symbols of new Andalusia, promised by the king.
The gate is part of the Alhambra architectural complex and has been considered a Spanish cultural heritage site since 1870. The road through them leads to the palace named after Charles V, built at a later time.
Elvira Gate
The Puerta de Elvira or Elvira Gate was part of a system of defensive fortifications in the Albaysin area. They were built in the XI century under the rule of the Zirids and served as the main gate to the city. Their appearance was significantly altered by Yusuf I of the Nasirid dynasty.
After its transformation, Puerta de Elvira was transformed into a fort with four towers, which was able to conduct defense independently. It had two openings for the passage. In 1492, the victors Isabella and Ferdinand triumphed through the gates of the liberated Granada.
At the beginning of the 17th century, when the gates no longer had a defensive value, houses were added to them. The war with Napoleon caused serious damage to the structure. Today’s Elvira Gate is more like a massive arch with battlements at the top. They are located on Triumfalnaya Square and have been restored several times. Since 1896, it has been classified as a cultural heritage of Spain.
Sierra Nevada National Park
Tired of the Andalusian heat and history, it is wise to go to a different climate zone, located in the neighboring Sierra Nevada Mountains. The territory of the Sierra Nevada National Park offers a variety of options for exploring the natural beauty of southern Spain.
The National Park in the mountains appeared in 1999. Its area is over 86 thousand hectares, on the territory there are more than 20 mountains of three thousand meters, including Mulasen – the highest peak of the Iberian Peninsula – 3,478 m. The nature of the Sierra Nevada is diverse and depending on the altitude, there are different natural areas.
The park has beautiful canyons, lakes, preserved unique representatives of fauna and flora. Amazing snow caps and glaciers of the peaks, at a distance of several tens of kilometers from which there are beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Sierra Nevada Mountains offer hiking and cycling trails of varying lengths. There is an opportunity to go rock climbing. The ski slopes are open from December to May. The local resort was awarded the honor of hosting the World Ski Championships and is the southernmost in Europe.
The reserve has a good infrastructure and is convenient to visit by bus or rented car. Day-trip options are also available.