:: General Information and Sightseeing

Granada is a city and municipality in the province of Granada, in southern Spain. More specifically, it is in a region known as La Vega, in the eastern part of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.
Until 1492 it was the capital of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada and the municipal coat of arms bears the following words "Very noble, very loyal, renown, great, famous and heroic city of Granada".
In 2007 the city had almost a quarter of a million inhabitants, although the figure jumps to over half a million if we include the metropolitan area. The various neighbourhoods are quite different from one another, partly due to the continuous immigration here up to the 1990s, and partly due to the absence of any sort of general urban development plan. The most important neighbourhoods are the Zaidín, the Albaicín, Sacromonte, Realejo, La Chana, Almanjáyar and La Cartuja.
Today the city is a very important tourist destination, thanks to its spectacular monuments and also to its proximity to the ski resort in Sierra Nevada, the Alpujarra Mountains and the Costa Tropical. Among Granada's many historical monuments, the Alhambra deserves special mention. This Moorish palace and defensive complex is one of the most important buildings in Spain and in 1984 UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site, along with the Generalife Gardens and the Albaicín. The city also boasts the largest Renaissance cathedral in the world.

  • Local Holidays  

• Reconquest of Granada, 2 January.
• Corpus Christi, dates vary.
• Holy Week, dates vary.
• Festival of Crosses, 3 May.
• Our Lady of Anguish (Granada's Patron Saint Day), last Sunday in September.
  

   • Other celebrations  

• Romería de San Cecilio, first Sunday in February.
  The City Council distributes the traditional "salaíllas con bacalao" (salted rolls with dried cod) and the season's first freshly-picked broad beans. This popular procession goes through Sacromonte and up to the Abbey, which has caves considered by many to be holy. Exceptional scenery and views characterise the procession, which traditionally ends in a day-long celebration in the hills of Sacromonte. The City Council created this procession and therefore plays an important role in the ceremonial aspects of the festivities. Civil, military and ecclesiastical authorities participate, a floral offering is made at the Abbey and the caves are open for visits. There is also a holy mass for those who wish to attend.
  
  
• Romería de San Miguel, 28 September.
  This is really a neighbourhood procession in the Albaicin but lots of people from the rest of Granada come to participate or simply watch the festivities, which begin in the early afternoon. On procession day, horses and carts head for the Albaicin and an image of the archangel, created especially for this procession, is mounted on a platform and taken from the church. People carry the image through the winding streets of the Albaicin and then return it to its church in the afternoon.

  • Outdoor markets  

• Wednesdays in La Chana.
• Saturdays in El Zaidín.
• Sundays in Almanjáyar and Paseo del Violón.
  
  

  • Alhambra 

This richly decorated palatial and defensive complex (in Spanish, alcázar, derived from the Arabic al-Ksar) was the residence of the king and the royal court of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. Its main attraction resides, as is the case with other Moorish constructions of the time, in the building's interiors, the sublime decoration of which is among the greatest works of Islamic art. In 1238 construction began of what was to be a fortress. The building now visible is the result of three centuries of multiple interventions by 23 successive monarchs of the Nasrid dynasty. It is among the most beautiful and best preserved Arab palaces in the entire world. A gem beyond compare, this complex comprised of a fortress, palaces and gardens is the city's most emblematic monument and should definitely not be missed.
From 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. No more than 8400 people allowed to visit per day. Evening visits on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 9:30 p.m. To book: (+34) 902 441 221.
www.alhambra-patronato.es
Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife
C/ Real de la Alhambra s/n

   • Generalife 

Harmonious set of gardens and pavillions that served as a recreational palace for the Nasrid rulers. The Patio de Descabalgamiento leads to the Patio de la Acequia and then to the Patio de la Sultana, where the sound of flowing water is constantly heard. The Generalife is included in the ticket to the Alhambra. The palace contains no excess of any kind in decoration or architectural features. Unlike the Alhambra, the construction of the Generalife, while solid, is quite simple and plain, an indication of the privacy and relaxation that the monarchs were seeking when they came to rest in the gardens here. The few plaster decorative motifs we find are not varied, but they are extremely refined.
Interior of the Alhambra.

  • Palacio de Carlos V  

The Palace of Charles V is one of the buildings within the Alhambra of Granada, although no ticket is needed to visit it. Construction began in the 16th century but was not entirely finished until the middle of the 20th century. The palace's ground plan has a square perimeter but inside it features a spectacular circular courtyard, 30 metres in diameter, surrounded by a portico with a Doric colonnade. This uniquely-styled building is one of the most important Renaissance works in Spain. It currently houses the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada.
Interior of the Alhambra.

  • Albaicín 

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993, the Albaicín is the large neighbourhood covering the hill opposite the Alhambra. A labyrinth of narrow, winding streets, some of which are steps, takes us through a succession of secluded squares and viewpoints with unforgettable views of the city and the Alhambra (don't miss the outstanding sunsets from Plaza de San Nicolás). Wherever we walk we find numerous convents and churches built over the old mosques, and also "cármenes", the homes typical of this quarter, consisting of a large house surrounded by an enclosed garden area. In the lower Albaicín (near the street called Calderería Nueva) you can soak in the ambience of the Arab medinas, with countless Moroccan gift shops and teahouses.

  • Alcaicería 

This Arabic word means "marketplace" and it is still used to refer to a certain district of shops occupying a strategic spot in the town centre. Next to what was formerly the main mosque (now a church, Sagrario de la Catedral) and Bib Rambla Square, it was connected to the Corral del Carbón by means of a bridge over the River Darro, which now runs underground. Rebuilt after the fire of 1843, today it is a small souk comprised of three extremely narrow streets that are linked by a perpendicular cross street. It is full of interesting pieces of local handicrafts and increasing numbers of bazars featuring North African handicrafts.

  • La Catedral 

The Cathedral was under construction between the 16th and the 18th centuries. Located right in the heart of Granada, it was built in Renaissance style over an earlier Gothic ground plan. The design and supervision of the early years of construction are attributed to Diego de Siloé, whose outstanding architectural works include the Cathedral's Capilla Mayor (the sanctuary containing the high altar) and the richly decorated Puerta del Perdón, a true sculptural masterpiece. The main façade, by Alonso Cano, is reminiscent of Roman triumphal arches. The white interior and the absence of a choir in the central nave, combined with the considerable height of the ceilings (67m.), create a luminous, stylised effect that is very impressive. Its chapels contain numerous altars with paintings and sculptures, including various Flemish pieces. Among the Cathedral's treasures, of particular interest is the Custodia del Corpus Christi (a monstrance, or a vessel used to display the Eucharistic host), a gift from Queen Isabella I of Castile. The Royal Chapel, next to the Cathedral, holds the tombs and mausoleum of the Catholic Monarchs, their daughter, Juana the Mad and her husband, Felipe the Handsome. It also boasts an excellent Plateresque grille in wrought iron.
Gran Vía, 5. (+34) 958 222 959.

  • Palacio de la Madraza 

First Islamic University and for some time one of the most important in the Islamic world. As such, it drew philosphers and scholars from many different countries. Founded by Jusuf I in 1349, next to what was then the Great Mosque. Following the defeat of the Moors by the Catholic Monarchs, the Madraza became the Casa de los Cabildos, the seat of the local government, and it was used this way until 1851, when the city council moved to its current location in the Plaza del Carmen. In the 18th century a Baroque palace was built in its place, the rich decoration of which can be seen, for example, in the façade, heraldry and windows. As was common at the time, the stone used came from the nearby Sierra Elvira Mountains. The palace architects preserved the prayer niche, or mirhab. It is now owned by the University of Granada and houses the offices of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Granada. The Sala de los Caballeros Veinticuatro (the Hall of the Twenty-four Knights), created in honour of the twenty-four councillors who governed the city, is used for seminars and lectures. There is also an exhibit hall.
Oficios, 14, Granada. (+34) 958 223 447.
www.ugr.es
Free of charge.

  • Puerta de Fajalauza 

This old city gate, whose Arabic name means the Gate of the Almond Groves, now separates the Albaicín from the neighbourhood called Haza Grande. It has a long interior passage covered with a pointed barrel vault. Historically, this quarter was where the potters lived, in the neighbourhood located on the road to Guadix. Apparently the gate's original ground plan had a right angle, like the Puerta de las Pesas in Plaza Larga, but now all that remains is one long, straight passage.

   • Monasterio de la Cartuja 

Monastery dating from 1516 with large stairways made of stone from the Sierra Elvira mountain range. It is situated on lands donated by the famous general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, known as the Great Captain, for the founding of a Carthusian convent, which was partially torn down during the confiscation of church property in the mid 19th century. The rooms, of Gothic structure, include the Refectory, the Anterefectory, the Chapter Room for Monks and Laymen, and they surround a small vaulted cloister with peristyle. Especially noteworthy is the Refectory, decorated by Brother Juan Sánchez Cotán, featuring large Mannerist paintings and a magnificent trompe l'oeil painting of a cross. The Church, a fine example of Andalusian Baroque at its height, has a single nave with a choir at the back. Behind the tabernacle at the head of the nave is the chapel called Capilla del Sagrario, of great artistic importance and absolutely dazzling because of the horror vacui of its plaster decoration and polychromes, which turn the structure into a whirl of interrupted lines and curves. To the left is the Sacristy, with magnificent marquetry and plaster relief, as in the Sagrario chapel. Rich Baroque ornamentation in marble and plaster. The Sanctum Sanctorum, created by Francisco Hurtado, is in a sumptuous Baroque style.
Paseo de la Cartuja. (+34) 958 161 932.

   • Abadía del Sacromonte 

A 17th century abbey founded by Archbishop Castro Cabeza de Vaca on Mount Valparaíso, in the very spot where the controversial Lead Books of Sacromonte were found, the authenticity of which was never recognised by the Vatican. The catacombs located under the Church are the site of the martyrdom of Saint Caecilius, who was the first bishop of Granada and is now its patron saint. Planned by Juan de Maeda and finished in 1567, the most notable features of this temple next to the River Darro are the extraordinary Mudejar coffered ceilings of the central nave, the crossing and the sanctuary containing the High Altar, as well as the Renaissance ceiling of the first of the ten chapels, all by Juan Vílchez. The façade, the work of Pedro de Orea, is a magnificent example of Andalusian Renaissance from the end of the 16th century. The "Santas Cuevas" or "holy caves" are located under the altar and can be visited.
Camino del Sacromonte . (+34) 958 221 445.
Guided Visits.

  • Baños Árabes (El Bañuelo)  

Public baths from the Moorish period, among the oldest and most complete remains visible today. Although the baths themselves date from the 11th century, the columns were taken from Roman and Visigoth ruins. To enter, visitors go through part of a private home. It is the oldest Moorish building in Granada. Because they are small compared to the ones found in the palaces of the Alhambra, these public baths are known by the diminutive form of the term: el Bañuelo.
Carrera del Darro. (+34) 958 027 800.

  • Carmen de los Mártires 

Site of an old convent once inhabited by Saint John of the Cross. Now a set of ornamental parterres, wooded copses and areas used for cultivation, these elements form Romantic-style gardens that bring together a number of different stylistic tendencies. A large duck pond surrounded by cypresses, magnolias, Canary palms, orange trees and even a tree supposedly planted by Saint John himself, make for a calm, beautiful setting. Only the garden areas can be visited. Panoramic view of the city.
Next to the Alhambra (+34) 958 227 953.

  • Basílica de San Juan de Dios  

This Baroque basilica dates from 1759 and contains numerous paintings and images from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was commissioned by Fray Alonso de Jesús Ortega and construction took place between 1737 and 1759. It boasts a lovely Baroque façade flanked by towers with slate covered spires. The two-volume marble façade contains sculptures and reliefs and is divided into three segments by columns, of the Corinthian order in the lower volume and Composite order in the upper volume. Between the columns in the lower section are statues of the angels Rafael and Gabriel, by Ramiro Ponce de León, and in the centre is the statue of Saint John of God, by the sculptor Agustín de Vera Moreno. Worthy of special note inside is the reredos of the high altar, designed by José de Bada and executed by Francisco José Guerrero. It is made of golden wood, with sculptures by Diego Sánchez Sarabia, who was also responsible for painting the vaults. The remains of the saint are kept here.
San Juan de Dios, 19 . (+34) 958 275 700.
Open daily from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m.

  • Iglesia de San José  

The Church of Saint Joseph is located on the former site of the Great Mosque of the Alcazaba and the minaret belongs to the Caliphal style of architecture. The Christ of Silence figure, by José de Mora, is kept here. All the churches within the Albaicín show the Mudejar influence in the elements dating from the 16th century. The minaret can still be seen, as it is currently the church tower. It is the only minaret from the period prior to the Almoravids that still stands in Spain.
Cuesta de San José, 2. (+34) 958 227 671.
Open only while services are taking place

  • Monasterio de Santa Isabel la Real  

This was not the only convent in the Albaicín to commission, starting in the 16th century, extensive religious constructions (others include La Concepción, Santa Catalina de Zafra, San Bernardo, Santo Tomás de Villanueva) but it is the most interesting, due to its location in the middle of the neighbourhood and also to the chapel's Gothic façade, designed by Enrique Egas, architect of the Royal Chapel. Founded in 1501 by Queen Isabella, it was built in an area associated with the gardens and orchards of the neighbouring Dar–al–Horra Palace, a royal residence during Moorish times and the home of the mother of Boabdil, the last Moorish king of Granada. Thus, on grounds that formerly belonged to a Moorish palace, there is now a cloistered convent. Its ceilings have beautiful Mudejar features.
Santa Isabel la Real , 15. (+34) 958 277 836.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visits by appointment only.

  • Real Monasterio de San Jerónimo  

The Royal Monastery and Church of Saint Jerome represent one of the first and greatest monuments of the Late Gothic and Spanish Renaissance styles. The magnitude and beauty of the main cloister, the magnificence and artistic balance of the church and the slenderness of the tower, the harmony and rich detail of the sanctuary containing the High Altar are some of the reasons it is considered so important. Superb reredos by San Juan Bautista Vázquez (16th century). Built to hold the tomb of the famous general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, the Great Captain. Convent with two cloisters attached.
Rector López Argüeta, 9. (+34) 958 279 337.

  • Palacio de los Córdova  

Construction of this palace began around 1530 in the Placeta de las Descalzas and ended in 1592. Its owner, Luis Fernández de Córdova, occupied a high position in the Town Council of Granada and was also Knight Commander of the town Villanueva de la Fuente. Exactly when the family sold the building is unknown but Francisco de Paula Valladar wrote in 1911 that "having been the site of factories, societies, a storehouse for wood, etc. it is now owned by a Society or Community that has leased it for use as municipal storage facilities…." In 1919 it was in the hands of Ricardo Martín Flores, who had it torn down to build a theatre, Teatro Gran Capitán. The elements of historical and artistic value were saved on a different piece of property, "Villa María", located on the road to Pulianas.
Then, in the 1960s, the possibility of transporting the elements of value to Cordova was considered. This prompted the Mayor at the time, Manuel Sola, to convince the Duke of Montellano, whose wife was Hilda Fernández de Córdova, a descendant of the original 16th century owner, to rebuild the palace. Using the plans by Manuel Gómez Moreno, the Malaga-born architect Álvarez de Toledo drew up plans for the reconstruction of the Palace in its current location, at the bottom of the street called Cuesta del Chapiz. In 1965 the first stone was put in place and in 1983 the City Council of Granada acquired the palace for its Municipal Archives, which opened to the public in August of 1984.
Cuesta del Chapíz, 24. (+34) 958 227 952.

  • Corral del Carbón 

This building is on the street Calle Mariana Pineda, which runs parallel to Reyes Católicos. A small pedestrian street named Puente del Carbón links the two. At the time of its construction, this area was part of the medina or the main nucleus of the city of Granada, next to the thriving marketplace area, la Alcaicería. The two areas were divided by the River Darro but a bridge connected them, Puente Nuevo or Alcántara Yidida, one of thirteen bridges that crossed the Darro between the Paseo de los Tristes and its confluence with the River Genil. The building's original name was Alhóndiga Gigida. Built at the beginning of the 14th century, it served as a storehouse for various types of goods and also as a residence for merchants. It is especially noteworthy because it is the only building of this type in Spain to have reached our days in its original form. The building is quadrangular in plan, with an entry pavillion featuring a large horseshoe arch and a lovely ceiling of mocárabes (honeycomb or stalactite work characteristic of Islamic decoration during that period). Over the door that takes us inside is a small twin window. Next comes the vestibule, with arches along its sides, from which we access the building's courtyard, surrounded by galleries on each of the building's three floors. In the middle is a stone fountain with two spouts.
Mariana Pineda, 12. (+34) 958 225 990.
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m, although the doors may be closed at midday. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free of charge

  • Casas del Chapíz  

Two Morisco-style houses connected to each other, built in the 16th century. Their name comes from one of their owners, Lorenzo el Chapiz, who was a Morisco (the term for persons of Muslim heritage living in Spain after the Reconquest). Both houses have a courtyard. The first, the smaller of the two, has galleries all around and plasterwork decoration. The second house has a larger courtyard with a rectangular pool. It used to have galleries on its long sides and porticoes on the shorter sides but only the northern portico and the eastern gallery remain intact. On the upper level there is a balustraded corridor in the Renaissance style and two doorways with plasterwork arches. This courtyard has splendid views of the Alhambra. The interior contains elements of Mudejar art.
Cuesta del Chapíz , 22. (+34) 958 222 290.
Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.and 4 to 7 p.m. Closed holidays. Closed afternoons in July and August.
Free of charge

  • Hospital Real  

The Royal Hospital of Granada, which was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs, is an imposing Gothic building with subsequently added Classical features. Today it houses the University Rector's Office and one of the University's libraries. It is nestled between the streets Real de Cartuja, Ancha de Capuchinos and Avenida del Hospicio, where the entrance is found. During the Moorish period there was a cemetery in this place (Saad Malik) and upon the Christian Reconquest the land was given to the city to be used as common land for the municipality.
Cuesta del Hospicio, s/n.