Granada history - Granada information - Spain

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Granada Information: GRANADA, a reflection of the ARABIC PAST

There are very few cities which have such a dense history so well reflected in its many monuments, in its appearance and in the atmosphere of its daily life. This is not a city which you can see and get to know well in only one day. In fact, entrance tickets to the Alhambra and the Generalife are valid for one day so the visitor has Banos de Comares, time to fully savour this Baths of Cornares, vast and enchanting place which, due to the abundance of fountains and gardens, always has a very pleasant climate.

From the emblematic Torre de la Vela, the area of the Alcazaba, to the gardens of the Generalife or even higher still, to the Seat of the Moro; all this immense area and its surrounding villages are rich with views of the city, its characteristic districts and its outskirts. The visitor is offered a myriad of wonders: from the Patio of the Lions to the gardens of Lindaraja, the Embassador's Hall to the Patio of Arrayanes, and not forgetting the adjoining Renaissance palace, the Palace of Carlos V which houses the Fine Arts Museum, nor the beautiful doorways such as the Door of Justice. Below lies the Renaissance and Baroque city which displays many constant reminders of its Arabic past.

The great Renaissance cathedral, the work of Diego de Siloe and finished by Alonso Cano, is adjoined by the exquisite late Gothic Royal Chapel where the tomb of the Reyes Católicos (Catholic Monarchs) and a good art gallery can be found. Also adjoining the chapel is the Sagrario. Nearby there are many traces of this city's long Arabic past; from the Madraza, the old Arabic university, to the Alcaiceria, the narrow market, and closeby, the Corral del Carbon, the old market.

From the cathedral to the monastery of San Jeronimo, another great, fundamentally Renaissance building, you will find Baroque churches, including San Juan de Dios, San Justo y Pastor as well as numerous palaces. Further away, but a real must for the visitor, is the Cartuja, the apotheosis of the Baroque period and which is situated riear one of the campuses of this university city. Another large Renaissance building with a Baroque facade, is the Royal Hospital which, today is the main rectory.

It is also important to see the Baroque church of Las Angustias, with its adored local patron saint, and Santo Domingo which is mor, Classical in style. Then go up to the AIbaicin, an area which include old minarets such as San Jose, well-preserved fragments of the old cir wall, the well-cared for Clirmenes (villas with beautiful gardens), aw squares like San Nicolas with wonderful views. After reaching th, Sacromonte and the gardens of the House of Chapiz go down towards one of the most beautiful streets in Andalusia,
the Carrera del Darro.

The river runs on one side and on the other there are palaces which house the Archaeological Museum the House of Castril, the Arabic baths and churches such as San Pedro has the Alhambra and its forest on one side and the white Moorish Albaicin on the other. The street then opens out onto the Plaza Nueva where we find the Chancery and the elegant Mudejar tower of Santa Ana.

This still leaves us to walk along Elvira street to the gate of the same name, past many antique shops; to buy flowers from one of the stalls in Bib-Rambla square or handicrafts on the hill to Gomeres and in the surrounding areas; to enter the many monasteries and convents which cross our path - Santa Paula, Santa Isabella Real, or simply to pause and hear the water in a garden or square; to see the well-exhibited and pleasantly situated museums such as the Museum House of Manuel de Falla; or in short, to savour the thousand and one
delights of this surprising city.

Granada is surrounded by rich, densely populated fertile lands with poplar
groves and farmland separating the villages. Santa Fe, for example, with its geometric urban development must be visited, or Alfacar to try some of the best bread in the south of Spain.