GRANADA

Welcome to Granada, Spain

Granada’s storybook kingdom is exemplified in the Alhambra Palace, which attracts millions of tourists every year. This majestic complex is much more than just a royal palace. It showcases the sophisticated Moorish civilization of Al-Andalus and gives visitors a glimpse into the splendor of a gone-by era.

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It was the Arabs that gave the city its name when they invaded the Iberian peninsula in the 8^th century. However, Granada continued to be a small, low-key city until Cordoba and Sevilla fell to the Catholics in the middle of the 13^th century. As a result, a lot of Muslim refugees arrived in Granada and the Alhambra developed as the royal palace and fortress of the Nasrid dynasty. During the following 250 years, the Moors continued to rule in Granada, which became one of the richest cities in Europe.

Granada was actually the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492. After that, the population was sadly divided. First, the Jews were sent to the Realejo neighborhood while the Moors were sent to the Albaicín. Less than a century later, the rulers pushed for total expulsion (Inquisition) and the city fell into decay.

Today, Granada’s soul combines the grandiose of the Alhambra with a more edgy side that you will discover by wandering the narrow labyrinthine streets of its Moorish neighborhood, the Albaicín, and the unique gypsy community in the Sacromonte neighborhood, famous for its cave-dwelling tradition and flamenco music.

About

PATRICIA PALACIOS

España Guide Co-Founder

Patricia is an engineer turned content creator who for over a decade has been helping travelers navigate her native Spain. In addition to her own website, her tips and recommendations have been featured on BBC Travel, CNN, El País & Lonely Planet, just to name a few.

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