Situated at the foot of the southerly Sierra Nevada ski resort, Granada is one
of the most splendid cities of eastern Andalucia.
On its southern side is
103 kms of fabulous Mediterranean coastline, with the Costa del Sol and Costa
Tropical in close proximity whilst, in between, lies a fertile plain producing
exotic fruits.
Granada dates back to prehistoric times and was known as Ilbyr. When the
Romans colonized the southern part of Iberia, they built their own city there,
calling it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the Peninsula in the eighth century,
gave the city its current name of Granada.
Being the last Muslim city of Spain to be reconquered by the Christians,
Granada has an unmistakable Arab flavor, and Moorish and Christian elements go
hand-in-hand.
One of the most brilliant jewels of Granada is the Alhambra, a series of
palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the fourteenth century.
This mighty compound of buildings, including the summer palace called
Generalife with its beautiful fountains and gardens, stands at the foot of the
Sierra Nevada.
The hill facing the Alhambra is the old Moorish casbah or medina called the
Albaicín. One of the oldest districts, it has been declared a World Heritage
Site, along with the Alhambra and Generalife.
The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the Albaicín, is famous
for its magnificent view of the Moorish Palace.
Sacromonte Hill, which overlooks the city from the north, is famous for its
cave dwellings, once home to a large gypsy community. Here, you can find some
of the best flamenco shows in Andalucia.
Perhaps the most important Christian monument of Granada is the Cathedral.
Built in 1523, Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand are buried there in the Royal
Chapel.
Among museums well-worth visiting are the Art Museum in the Palacio de
Carlos V at the Alhambra, the Alhambra Museum, the Cathedral Museum, the
Archaeological Museum and the Science Museum.
If the children become a little bored with sightseeing, they will just love
the activities available in the nearby Sierra Nevada ski resort or the
beautiful beaches not too far away. And so will you!
So ... come visit Granada and have the time of your lives!
Linda Plummer is webmistress of
http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com
Top Tour of Spain providing information on Spain be it for travel,
food, language or living.
