monumental granada tourism guide

8/11/2019 Monumental Granada Tourism Guide

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Monumental Granada

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In the heart of Andalusia and

In the heart of Andalucaandlinked to the Mediterraneanvia the Moors Sigh pass, thecity of Granada spreads atthe feet of the Sierra Nevada

mountain range, by the floodplain of the river Genil. The Moors final stronghold in Spain and ameeting place of civilisations, Granada had always acted as a brid-ge between the cultures of West, the East and Africa.

Every year thousands of tourists come to Granada to explore itsnatural delights and picturesque villages. Lorcas birthplace main-tains a significant Moorish heritage.

The highest mountain peaks in mainland Spain are also the destinationfor many winter-sports lovers, who prefer to enjoy the peaks withoutsuffering the bleak winters of ski resorts at more northerly climes.

Monumental Granada

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The Surrender of Granada by

Francisco Pradilla

Sunset at the Alhambra

New motorway to the coast

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Thanks to a modern motorway network that communicatesGranada with the rest of Spain, Sevilleis only two hours awayand Malaga90 minutes. While the A-92crosses Andalusia fromEast to West, the A-44 links the Costa Tropicalto the south with

Janand on to Madridto the. Sections of the new

coastal motorway from Barcelona to Cadiz arealso now open.

The airport is 10 kilometres from the city, inChauchina, just off the A-92 Seville motorway.

at the feet of the Sierra Nevada

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CostaTropical

SierraNevada

SIERRA NEVADA

JanMadrid

LojaSevilla

Crdoba GuadixAlmera


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Granada, a land with thou-

sands of years of history, has a

rich artistic and cultural herit-

age passed down by the Mus-

lims and Christians.

Centuries before Islam made

Granada one of the Wests cultural benchmarks, other cultures such as the

Iberians, Romans and Visigoths left their mark throughout the province.

In the mid-15th century the magical work created by the Moors reached

its end with the sad departure of King Boabdil, only too aware of the value

and beauty he was leaving behind. A few mon-

ths before, the relentless siege of the Christian

armies of Ferdinand and Isabella camped in Santa

Fe, finally deposed Boabdil, the last Moorish king

of Granada. The tears shed by the last monarch

of Al-Andalus, as he crossed the pass now known

as the Moors Sigh, and the bitter comment by his

mother, Now you cry like a woman over whatyou could not defend like a man, were instants

that would be

saved for poste-

rity to mark the

biggest turning

point in this

areas history.

From that mo-

ment on Gra-

nada became

a symbol of the

unity of Spain,where kings and

queens lived and

even were buried.

Inheriting the enchantment

Monumental Granada

Boabdil, the last king of Granada

Boabdil leaves the Alhambra

Guadix Alcazaba

Court of the Lions, Alhambra

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The entire Moorish monumental legacy was included in the heritage of the

dominant culture. Fortresses and walls, mosques and water cisterns, were

merged into churches, convents and palaces in a perfect mix of such diverse

styles as the Mudjar, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, to turn Granada

into a province-sized museum.

of Moorish Spain

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Plan of

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Granada

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The Alhambra, which was decla-red a UN Human Heritage Sitein 1984, is a palace city built theSabika hill, overlooking the riverDarro. Its name comes from thecolour of its walls (al-Hamra inArabic), which were made fromlocal reddish clay.

The Alhambras origins dateback to the 9th century, whenthe Alcazaba (fortress) began tobe used as a refuge, although itwas not until the 13th centurythat the rst Nasrid king, Mo-hamed I, xed his royal residencethere and began to build the palace complex. Suc-cessive extensions and renovations then shapedthe monumental complex that we see today.

Moorish palaces such the Comares palace,which contains the Court of the Myrtles and Hall

of the Ambassadors, covered with a magnicent ceiling ofcarved wood, as well as the Court of the Lions, with itsfountain that has been reproduced in a thousand picturepostcards, and halls like the Abencerrajes , Two Sister andMonarchs.

Not only the Nasrid imprint has lasted atthe Alhambra, but we can also see the markleft there by Emperor Charles V,who built a Renaissance palacethat now houses theAlhambra Museumand Granada Mu-seum of Fine Art.

Court of the Myrtles

Alhambra complex

Panoramic view of the Alhambra

Fountain and Court of the Lions

Hall of Two Sisters

Charles V Palace

Generalife, Court of the Water Channel

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Alhambra and Generalife1

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Just opposite the Alhambra,the Moorish kings built theGeneralife gardens for restand recreation. The entrancewas via the Iron Gate, next tothe Tower of the Three Peaks,crossing the river Chico ravine.

Inside the main feature waswater, with countless fountains,channels and even a waterstaircase that leads to the Up-per Garden.

The Courts of the Water

Channel andSultana

reectthe Nasrid cultures specialsensitivity towards natureand water.

el

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Believed to have originallybeen part of the Dar al-Baydapalace. The Moriscos Loren-zo El Chapiz and HernnLpez El Fer built these two

buildings linked by a plasterarch in the 16th century. Thecomplex manages to achievea perfect blend of Muslimand Christian art, with richplasterwork, large marblecolumns, portico galleries,Renaissance balustrades andeven ponds. Since 1932 ithas housed the School ofMoorish Studies.

The ablutions courtyard(right), together with remainsof columns and a deepcistern are all that remainsof the mosque on the siteof which this church wasbuilt. Diego de Silo desig-ned the main portal of thisRenaissance church, whichwas partly destroyed by reduring the last century andlater restored.

It houses such major works

as the Pedro Duque de Cornejo carving and a 17th-century image of Christ crucied,Seor de la Sangre, as well as a valuable painting of the Last Supper by Bocanegra.

The Plateresque portal, attributed to Diego de Silo,of the building that now houses the ArchaeologicalMuseum features beautiful reliefs with Doric columnsand a reproduction of the Alhambras Comares Tower.

The Lords of Castril gave their name to this Renais-sance palace, with its beautiful Mudjar coffered ceiling

covering the stairway. Large balconies decorated withpilasters give onto the exterior, while inside marblecolumns support semicircular arches to create thecourtyard.

The museum houses a major archaeological collectionof pieces from the various ancient cultures that passed

through Granada.

El Salvador Church5

Casa de Castril7

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Casa del Chapiz2

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The Moorish Baths of the Walnut Treeor Bauelo(in Arabic, Hamman al-Yawza)were built by Jewish vizier Ibn Nagrela, during

the reign of the Taifa king Badis, next to theCad bridge. Dating from the 11th century,

the baths are among the most valuable in allSpain, as well as the oldest surviving buildingin Muslim Granada, pre-dating the Alhambraby several centuries. Recently restored, thebaths can be visited to comm e-morate life in allits formersplen-

dour at a major meeting place ofMoorish culture in Andalusia.

Original columns and caps, marbleoors and remains of paintwork on

the skir tings give into ligh t vaultingwith star-shaped skylights forventilation. The layout faithfullyfollows that of Roman baths,with an entrance courtyardwith a small pool, a vesti-bule, cooling room, cen-

tral hall , hot room,individual baths and

steam room.

The baths have been de-clared an Cultural Interest Site.

El Bauelo8

Part of a former Moorishpalace was used as the basisfor the building of this mo-nastery between 1574 and1592, after Queen Isabellahad opened it as a convent in1504. The church has a singlenave, with the main chapelraised. The font was originally

the bowl of a Moorish foun-tain, as was the nave ceiling.The roof, reinforced with bowswith three pairs of struts anddecorated with Plateresquepaintings, is one of the nest

examples of Mudjar art. The main chapel features Gothic-style pyramids, mouldings andscallops. The main altar piece is richly decorated with paintings and sculptures of saints.The chapel houses works by such artists as Pedro de Mena and Bocanegra, as well as

the tomb of the sculptor Bernardo Francisco de Mora.

Santa Isabel la Real Monastery10

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First built in 1506, merging the

Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque

styles. The church, holy of holies

and sacristy mark the zenith of

Andalusian and Spanish baroque.Declared a Cultural Interest

Site, it houses a valuable co-

llection of paintings by Snchez

Cotn, as well as works by

Bocanegra and Carducho.

The single-nave church was

completed in the early 17th

century by the mason Cristbal

de Vlchez. The grey marble faade,

with two large Ionic columns, was

built in 1794 by Joaqun Hermoso.

The door dividing the choirs, by

Jos Manuel Vzquez, has marble,tortoiseshell, silver, ebony and palo-

santo inlays. The holy of holies is

behind the main altar, with access

via a ne glazed Venetian door.

The

s a c r i s t y ,

cons idered

to be on e of

the nest examples of

late Spanish Baroque,

has a rectangular la-

yout and barrel vault.The skirting is Lanjarn

marble, with cabinets that

took the Carthusian J. Ma-

nuel Vzquez 34 years to complete.

It was a functioning monastery until 1836, when

the monks lands and assets were seized.

Sacristy

Holy of holies

Choir and main

ave

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La Cartuja Monastery14

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In the Albaicn quarter there arestill many remains of the fortications

that once surrounded Granada, manyof them from the Zirid period in the11th century. They include towers and

entrances to the city, such as the Mo-naita and Pesas gates and Postigo deSan Lorenzo. In the 14th century thewall was built to defend the districts ofSan Cristbal Hill, the Albaicn and the

Albayda, running from the Guadix Gate, over San Miguel Alto, to the Fajalauza Gateand Postigo de San Lorenzo down to the Elvira Gate.The Postigo de San LorenzoorAlbaicn Gate was rediscovered in 1983.

Albaicn walls12

Currently housing the univer-

sity administration ofces, this

major building was founded by

Ferdinand and Isabella in 1504to treat the wounded from the

War of Granada.

It was built according to a late-Gothic design by

Enrique Egas, although Charles V had it nished in

the Renaissance style. The entrance, with sculptures

by Alonso de Mena and four Plateresque windows,

was not completed until the mid-17th century.

Hospital Real13

Built in the 15th century on the site of a

former Nasrid palace, it was the last home of

King Boabdils mother, Aixa, after whom it is

named (Dar al-Horra means house of the

honest lady).

It is built on two oors, with a tower on the

north side. The interior space is laid out with a

courtyard and passages between rooms withhorseshoe vaulting. The rafters and mullioned

windows are particularly ne, as are the other

Arabic inscriptions in the interior.

Of particular note is the ceiling decoration,

with geometrical gures and horseshoe vaul-

ting that gives on to an observation point with

splendid views over the Albaicn.

Dar al-Horra Palace11

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The church, declared a basilica by PopeBenedict XV, is located next to the hospital(1552) and was built between 1737 and1759. The layout is a Latin cross: a nave with

side chapels (two on each side), transept,main chapel and choir. The interior is richlydecorated with gold, silver, altar pieces, wallpaintings, cornucopias and windows, as well asne chapel altar pieces and transepts, frescoesby Diego Snchez Sarabia and the main altarpiece, which houses the remains of the saint

to which the church is dedicated.

The portal, anked by two high bell towers,forms a harmonious unit with the hospital anddome of the basilica.

Although construction beganduring the reign of Ferdinandand Isabella, it was not completeduntil 1547, under the direction ofDiego de Silo. It has ne vaultingwith decorated caissons andan elegant cloister by the maingallery, for which stone from theMoorish Elvira Gate was reused.

In one of the cloisters, whereEmpress Isabella, the wife ofCharles V, lived, we can see neMudjar and Gothic decorativeelements. The Great Captain Isburied here. The monasterywasoriginally richly decorated, but itwas sacked by Napoleons troops

and later used as a barracks. It has recently been restored under partnership arrange-ment between the University of Granada and Order of St. Hieronymus.

Formerly the Quran Schoolfounded by Yusuf I, it was conver-

ted into a cabildo by the Christians,where the nobles who governed

the city met.A horseshoe arch gives onto

the elegant mihrab, the only partof the original Moorish building

to have survived. The interior isrichly decorated in the Alhambrastyle. A Baroque palace was sub-sequently built around a courtyardwith arched galleries supported byTuscan columns. The facade is Baroque, with a stone portal and timber and wroughtiron windows and balconies.

San Jernimo Monastery16

Madrassa Palace20

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San Juan de Dios Basilica15

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Declared both a Natio-

nal Monument and Cultu-

ral Interest Site,Granada

Cathedral is considered to

be the rst Renaissancechurch in Spain and one

of the best examples of

the style. Ferdinand and

Isabella had it built in

1492, and it was originally

designed to follow the

Gothic model of Toledo

Cathedral. In 1528 Diego de Silo took over the project

and designed a new layout on the Spanish Renaissance

model. The works were nally completed nearly 200

years later, in 1704. Of the two towers designed by Silo

only one was partly built, at a height of 57 metres rather

than the 81 metres origina lly planned. The main faade

is a Baroque masterpiece by Alonso Cano en 1667.

Next to the Cathedral is the Royal Chapel, built

to house the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella. The

Plateresque faade, by Juan Garca de Prada, faces the

former market. It was built in the Gothic style in 1506

and dedicated to St John the Baptist and St John the

Evangelist. It was completed in 1517 during the reign of

Charles V, who also transferred the tombs of his parents,

Joanna the Mad and Philip the Fair, here. The chapel is a

key example of amboyant Gothic during the Renaissance period. The interior includes

a splendid Plateresque

grille by Bartolom deJan, a Gothic altar piece

dating from 1522, and

the royal tombs carved

from Carrara marble. The

crypt beneath houses the

lead cofns of Ferdinand,

Isabella, Joanna, Philip and

Prince Michael.

Cathedral, interior

Royal Chapel grille

Cathedral, main facade

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Cathedral and Royal Chapel17

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The only remaining alhn-diga (public wheat market)of the three that Granada isreported to have once had.

It was built in the 14th cen-tury as an inn for merchants.The upper oor was usedfor accommodation and thelower oor as stables andstorage areas. The faadehas a horseshoe arch withstalactite-type plasterworkand epigraphic motifs. It hasbeen used for several different purposes over the course of its history, from a theatreand then a lodging house in the 16th century to a coal store in the 18th.

In 1545 a brotherhood wasfounded in honour of the So-rrow of Our Lady, to which Don

Juan of Austria and FerdinandVI belonged. In 1567 Philip IIdonated land for a hospital to bebuilt, next to which this Baroquechurch was built and opened in

the 17th century.

The facade is anked by two bell towersnished with glazed tiles. The interior houses ane altar piece and a Virgins chamber decoratedby such artists as Juan de Mena.

This old rbita (a monasterywhere which pious Muslims with-drew to meditate) was built in 1218and is of historical importance as thesite where Boabdil delivered the keys of

Granada to Ferdinand and Isabella in1492. Shortly afterwards it began tobe reused as a Christian churchdedicated to St Fabian and StSebastian.

The square layout is covered by a hemispherical brick dome. It wasdeclared a National Monumentin 1933. The exterior is ver y simple, witha horseshoe arch framed with a brick alz as an aesthetic concession.The original interior decoration has been lost as a result of successiverestoration projects.

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Corral del Carbn21

San Sebastin Hermitage30

Church of Nuestra Seora de las Angustias29

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Founded in the 16th century,this Gothi c church is par t ofthe Monastery of Santa Cruz laReal, where the Spanish Inquisi-

tion held its trials. The interiorof the church is structured ona Latin-cross layout, with vechapels on each side. Although

the decoration shows a Baroqueinuence, the vaulting and archesare in the Gothic style and thecolumns, windows, cornices andmain doorway are Romanesque.

The entrance is presided over by a stone portal with three semi-circular archessupported by Doric columns.

Traditionally believed to have been built

over the dungeons where Christiancaptives were held in Nasrid times.After the city was conquered byFerdinan d and Isabella it wasus ed as a Carmelite con-vent, where St John of

the Cross was the prior forseveral years. Its curre nt

appearance datesback to the 19thcentury, showing

Orientalist trends thatwere fashionable at the

time. The gardens are anattractive mixture of French

and English models combined with theaesthetics of Moorish garden design.

Church of Santo Domingo22

Carmen de los Mrtires27

Alczar Genil22

A 13th-century Almohad palace, built

during the reign of the caliph al-Muntasir

as a place for the court to relax, with

orchards and gardens and a large pond

where naval battles were recreated.

Aixa, the mother of Boabdil (the

last Nasrid king) lived here until

the city was conquered by the

Christians. All that remains ofthe original building is a square

space decorated with stucco

and tiling similar to that found

in the Alhambra. The room is

covered with artesonado de

laceras and stalactite friezing.

Twin arches give onto alcoves on each side.

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According tocontemporar ychronicles, after

the surrender ofGranada to the

Christians, manygipsies who hada c c o m p a n i e dFerdinand andIsabellas troopsas metalworkerssett led in thisquarter. Over thecenturies, the ar-

tistic expression they carried in their genes became mixed wi th those of the Moriscosto give rise to the zambras. The Sacromonte Caves Museumshows the history andevolution of the cave-dwellers lives and customs. A cave house has been restoredwith traditional furniture and utensils.

The magic of the whitewashed houses and caves, surrounded by prickly pears anddecorated with carnations and jasmine, form a pretty landscape with the Alhambra

(1) or Sierra Nevada beyond. Sacromonte Abbey, which was founded in the 17thcentury by Don Pedro de Castro, houses major works by such artists as AlonsoCano, Bocanegra, Raxis and Snchez Cotn.

The Albaicn is the part of Granada that bestreects the citys Moorish cultural heritage. Thecarmen, or house with walled orchard or garden,is possibly of Moorish origin and is the most

representative type of housing in the quarter,facing the Alhambra. The narrow streets of thequarter, a UN Human Heritage Site, with theirold water cisterns and lush gardens, are the resultof the Muslim population moving out of otherparts of the city after the Christian conquest.

Enjoy beautiful sunsets over the Alhambrafrom the observation points of San NicolsandSan Cristbal, with the snowy backdrop of theSierra Nevada.

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Sacromonte3

Architectural

Monumental Granada

This barrio used to be the Jewishquarter during the Moorish period,known as Garnata al-Yahud.

The old Fajjarn, Neched, Pottersand Millers gates have not survived,but the higher parts of the areastill conserve some of the original

typical Moorish layout of windingnarrow streets.

The Mauror hillside running downfrom the Torres Bermejas is knownas Antequeruela, since it was where

the inhabitants of the town of Ante-quera were rehoused in 1410.

Realejo

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In the late 19th century are destroyed the old bazaar,which was later rebuilt. Thecurrent version is an accuraterecreation of the old marketnext to Ocios and Zacatnstreets. The jewellery andornament shops are full ofsamples of traditional cera-mics, silverware, basketry and

taracea marquetry.

The Alcaicera recreates theretail activity of Moorish Gra-nada, which reached its peak

splendour during the nal Nasrid period. The city was particularly well known for thequality of its main speciality: silk.

These bazaars were located in city centres. They included accommodation and weretted with doors at the ends that were closed at night to prevent theft.

Alcaicera18

This concert hall is the venuefor regular performances by theOrquesta Ciudad de Granada.

A full programme of concertsand exhibitions make it an idealmeeting place for music andart lovers.

The centre complex also hasan archive, also named after thegreat composer, as well as hismuseum house.

Centro Cultural Manuel de Falla26

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A stroll through Moorish Granada:

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Plaza Nueva , flanked by the RealChancillera to the left and the churchofSanta Ana to the right, is the startingpoint for an intense visit to the heart ofold Zirid and Nasrid Granada, following

the course of the river Darro along apicturesque street that eventually opens

out onto the Paseo de los Tristes.

Soon we see the ruins of the Cadbridge, which once linked the Albaicn(6)(p. 20) to the Alhambra(1) (p. 10). Worth a look on the way are the Bauelo(8) (p. 13), the 11th-century Nogal Moorish baths and the Plateresque Casa deCastril(7) (p. 12), as well as the convent of Santa Catalina de Zafraand churchof San Pedro y San Pablo.

A gazebo-covered walk lled with terrace restaurants announces our arrivalat the Paseo de los Tristesor Boulevard of the Sad Ones, so called becauseit lies on the old route up to the citys cemetery. In the 17th century the Casade las Chirimaswas built here, formerly housing the musicians that performedin the square.

Carrera del DarroAlbaicn alleywayThe Albaicn from the AlhambraPaseo de los TristesMirador de San Cristbal from

the Dar al-Horra Palace

Aljibe del ReySunset at the Alhambra,

Mirador de San Nicols

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Turning left, a steep hilltakes us up to the Casa delChapiz(2) (p. 12). Opposi-

te, the Carmen de la Victo-riaoffers ne views of theAlhambra. Continuing up

the hill, we come to other

interesting buildings, such asthe church of El Salvador(5) (p. 12) and convent ofLas Tomasas, as well as therst of the Albaicns 23Moorish water cisterns.

When we arrive in PlazaLarga, the hustle and bustle gives us an idea of what the Moorish medina musthave been like. Here you can see the remains of the walls (12) (p. 15) of theOadina fortress, whose two gates, the Arco de las Pesasand Puerta de Monaita,are the oldest in the city. Also nearby is the Mirador de San Nicols, where thecitys most beautiful sunsets can be enjoyed from the square, with the Alhambraopposite and the San Nicols church behind.

History-laden stone walls lead to the Dar al-HorraPalace (11) (p. 15). Froma beautiful window above there are marvellous views of the Mirador de SanCristbaland long stretches of old walls (12) (p. 15). Nearby are the Monastery

of Santa Isabel la Real (10) (p. 13) andthe church and square of San Miguel Bajo.Going down Calderera Nuevaand Viejastreets we return towards the Elvira Arch,which linked the Albaicnto the medina.

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The city centre:

Monumental Granada

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Gran Va de Coln, with

the Albaicn to the right

(6) (p. 20-22), ends at

the gardens of the Triunfo

fountain, with the Hospital

Real looming above (13)

(p. 15). Behind, Calle RealCartuja leads up to the

monastery of La Cartuja

(14) (p. 14), a jewel of the

Baroque.

Back on Avenida de la

Constitucin, among a

maze of narrow streets

and squares we f ind

beautiful buildings as the

basilica of San Juan de

Dios (15) (p. 16), next to

the old Duquesa quar ter,

named after the wife of

the Great Captain, who

nanced the building of

the monaster y of San

Jernimo (16) (p. 16) to

provide a suitable tomb

for her celebrated hus-

band.

A palace legend gave two special places in Granada their names: Trinidad and

Los Lobos squares. In the 17th century the Jesuits wanted to compensate for the

labyrinthine layout of the Moorish city with a more Christian urban plan, building

the College of Santos Justo y Pastor next to the Plaza de la Universidad, where

the Law Faculty is located.

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the Christian heritage

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Around San Jernimo are several tiny, atmosphe-

ric squares surrounding the Cathedral (17) (p. 17),

such as the Plaza de la Romanilla and Pescadera.

After the majesty of the Cathedral, the former

Lonja leads to the Royal Chapel (17) (p. 17), the

site chosen by Ferdinand and Isabella as their

nal resting place giving us an idea of just howimportant Granada was in the design of the new

Christian kingdom. The adjoining Madrassa Palace

(20) (p. 16) and Archbishops Palace are worth a

visit before entering the maze of the shops of the

Alcaicera (18) (p. 21), which faithfully recreates

the bustling silk market of

Nasrid times.

The nearby Plaza de

la Bib Rambla is a major

square in the city, lled

with bar terraces and

ower stalls. In the past

it was a walled esplanade.

This whole area is

the heart of the city of

Granadas shopping dis-

tri ct and inc lude s such

well-known places as the

Carrera del Genil, Acera

del Darro, Puerta Real and Plaza Nueva. Plaza de

Isabel la Catlica, with a monument to Queen

Isabella and her subject Christopher Columbus

is only a few minutes walk away from the Casa

de los Tiros, Corral del Carbn (21) (p. 18) and

Abrantes Palace.

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Triunfo fountain

Chancillera palace

Pl. de la Romanilla and the Cathedral

Monument to Queen Isabella

Casa de los Tiros

Plaza de la Bib-Rambla

Archbishops Palace

Santa Ana church

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Because of the steepness of thehills in the Realejo quarter, it isprobably best to start your visitfrom the top, before working ourway downwards, beginning with theCarmen de los Mrtires (27) (p.19) and, to the right, the Manuel

de Falla concert hall and museum(25), where the Cadiz-born musi-cian lived. The neighbourhood has

two other sites of par ticular interestfor culture lovers: the RodrguezAcosta Foundation (24) and G-mez Moreno Institute.

The imposing Torres Bermejasstand out among beautiful crmenesand whitewashed courtyards leadingdown to the la Antequeruela quar-ter. As the land levels out, we see

the washing area of the Puerta del Sol square , with the heart of the Realejo now

close by: the Campo del Prncipe, where Prince John celebrated his wedding.

This large square has many cafs, restaurants and tapas bars to attract visitors,and it is an ideal place for a rest before continuing on to the quarters mostsignicant religious buildings: the convent of the Comendadorasde Santiago,convent of Santa Catalina, church of Santo Domingo(22) (p. 19) and churchof San Cecilio, with the Cristo de los Favores statue opposite.

Old galleried lodging houses, which have now been restored, blend in withurban mansion houses such as the Casa de los Tiros. Finally, if you cross theriver Genil, you can admire the hermitage of San Sebastin(30) (p. 18), GenilAlczar (31) (p. 19), Science Park(32) and Andalusian Memory Museum (33).

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The Realejo: a cultural melting-pot

Monumental Granada

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Granadas Science Park (32) brings science closer to visitors with interactivedisplays and permanent exhibitions on various topics: health and life in the

Journey to the Human Body; accident-risk awareness in Health and Safety Culture;Biosphere tells the story life on Earth, with its geological changes, the appearanceof life, DNA and such curiosities as a surveillance camera watching the movementsof piranhas and a real-time world population counter. Perceptionallows visitors toplay with light and sound and discover how our brain tricks us when perceiving

certain phenomena. Eurekareveals the secrets of physics experiments;Al-Andalusand Science explains the groundbreaking scientic brilliance of the Moors; REMPAopens up the Andalusian Network of Protected Natural Spaces; and Explorahasbeen specially designed for young children to play with science.

Other exhibition spaces exploreour knowledge of our surroundings: Kugelbahn13, Botanical Routes, Observation Tower, Tropical Buttery, Birds of Prey in Flight,Museum Pieces, Black Hole Module, Averroes Hall, Planetarium, Astronomy Gar-den and Ecological Roofs. In addition, many temporary exhibitionsare organised,such as: Fossil Art, Symbols of the Sierra Nevada, Automata, Stem Cells, MuseumAnimals, 150 Years of Ecology in Spain, etc.

The Caja GRANADAMemory of Andalusia Museum(33) invites you to disco-ver who the Andalusians are, who they were and who they will be in the future.The purpose of this permanent exhibition is to show the culture and historyof Andalusia through the facilities at the new Cultural Centre. It is intended foreveryone: families, students, associations, old people, those interested in history,

the university and research community and, of course, people who are visitingGranada and are interested in Andalusian identity presented and explained inan accurate, attractive way.

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Science and history

Tourism Guide

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Campo del Prncipe

Torres Bermejas

Memory of Andalusia Museum

Panoramic view of the

Science Park

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Events such as the International Music and Dance Festival, which is held in

some of the most beautiful corners of the city, the Tango and Jazz festivals and

the Young Filmmakers Festival have become essential dates in many peoples

cultural diaries.

But cultural events are not limited to the city itself, but organised throughout

the surrounding area. Not to mention amenco, of course, one of Granadasbest-known identifying features, which can be enjoyed in the Sacromonte caves,

where popular gypsy zambra dance shows are put on.

Besides its enormously rich heritage, the city of the Alhambra is home to a large

number of museums on diverse topics: the Museum of Fine Artand the Alhambra

Museum, both housed in the Charles V Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the

Museum of Ferdinand and Isabella..., the Science Park, an interactive museum

and planetarium where adults and

children can discover the fascinating

world of science and the Universe,

and the recently opened Andalusian

Memory Museum.

The area where Federico Garca

Lorcawas born has many stages in

nearby towns where cultural events

are held.

At the Manuel de Falla Concert

hall, the Orquesta Ciudad de Gra-

nada, one of the leading orchestras

in Spain, has many faithful followers

who dont miss a single performance.

Music and Dance

Festival

Museum of Fine Art

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o u e ta G a ada

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MUSEUMS

Granada

CARMEN MUSEO MAX MOREAUCarmen de los Geranios. Nuevo San Nicols, 12 %958293310

CENtRO EUROPEO DE lAS MUJERES-CASA MARiANA PiNEDAguila, 19 %958262961-262838

www.marianapineda.com

CASA-MUSEO DE NgEl BARRiOS Real de la Alhambra%958027900

CASA-MUSEO FEDERiCO gARCA lORCA (Huerta de San Vicente)Virgen Blanca, s/n %958258466www.huertadesanvicente.com

CASA-MUSEO MANUEl DE FAllA Antequeruela Alta, 11 %958222188www.museomanueldefalla.com

CENtRO DE ARtE CONtEMPORNEO Jos Guerrero Ocios, 8%958225185 www.centroguerrero.org

MONAStERiO MUSEO DE lA CONCEPCiNPlaceta de la Concepcin, 2 %958225368

MUSEO ARqUEOlgiCO y EtNOlgiCOCasa de Castril. Carrera del Darro, 41 %958575408

MUSEO CASA DE lOS tiROS Pavaneras, 19 %958575466

MUSEO CUEvAS DEl SACROMONtEBarranco de los Negros, s/n %958215120www.sacromontegranada.com

MUSEO DE BEllAS ARtES Palacio de Carlos V %958575450

MUSEO DE lA AlHAMBRA Palacio de Carlos V %958027900

MUSEO DE lA C AtEDRAl Gran Va, 4 %958222959

MUSEO DE lA M EMORiA DE ANDAlUCA Avda. de la Ciencia, 2%958222257 www.cajagranada.es

MUSEO EtNOlgiCO DE lA MUJER gitANA Cno. del Sacromonte, 107La Chumbera %958161278 www.mujeresromi.org

MUSEO gMEz-MORENO-FUNDACiN RODRgUEz ACOStACallejn Nio del Royo, 8 %958222797www.fundacionrodriguezacosta.com

MUSEO REyES CAtliCOS Capilla Real. Ocios, 3 %958229239www.capillarealgranada.com

MUSEO DEl SACROMONtE Abada del Sacromonte, 1 %958221445

MUSEO DE SAN JUAN DE DiOS Casa de los Pisa Convalecencia, I%958222144 / www.sanjuandedios-oh.es

PARqUE DE lAS CiENCiAS Avda. de la Ciencia, s/n%

958131900 / www.parqueciencias.com

Atarfe

MUSEO DE CiENCiAS NAtURAlES Ermita de los Tres JuanesParque de Sierra Elvira %958439008

MUSEO El ARCA DE lOS tiEMPOS Parque Ramn Gardn %958439008

Belicena

CENtRO DE iNtERPREtACiN DE lA vEgA DE gRANADAVial de la Vega, s/n.%958432051

Fuente Vaqueros

MUSEO CASA NAtAl FEDERiCO gARCA lORCAPoeta Federico Garca Lorca, 4 %958516453 www.patronatogarcialorca.org

Valderrubio

CASA FEDERiCO gARCA lORCAIglesias, 20 %958454466www.museolorcavalderrubio.com

Vznar

El MOliNO DE lA vENtA Retiro, s/n %958543304

THEATRES

Granada

tEAtRO AlHAMBRA Molinos, 56 %y Fax: 958028000 Fax: 958226462

tEAtRO iSABEl lA CAtliCA Acera del Casino, s/n%958222907. Fax: 958229344

tEAtRO iSiDORO MiqUEz Avda. de la Ciencia, 2%958244978

tEAtRO JOS tAMAyO Ctra. de Mlaga, 100 (Antiguo Mercachana)%958028000

tEAtRO MUNiCiPAl zAiDNCentro Cvico, Pintor Manuel Maldonado %958130985

Alfacar

tEAtRO MUNiCiPAl DE AlFACAR Avda. Fco. Garca Lorca, s/n %958543582

Armilla

tEAtRO MUNiCiPAl DE ARMillA Nardos, s/n %958573141

Fuente Vaqueros

tEAtRO FEDERiCO gARCA lORCA Manuel de Falla, 2 %958516860

CONCERT HALLS

Granada

AUDitORiO MANUEl DE FAllA Paseo de los Mrtires, s/n %958222188Fax: 958228289 / [email protected] www.manueldefalla.org

Atarfe

CENtRO CUltURAl MEDiNA ElviRAAvda. Diputacin %958436011-958438418

T O U R I S T S E A S O N T I C K E T

The card that covers all the citys major monu-

ments and bus network

% Reservations: 902 100 095%From outside Spain: 915 962 693www.cajagranada.es / www.turgranada.es

Granada

Tourism Guide



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Many satellite towns and vi-

llages lie around Granada itself,

with historical links to the city

and sharing in its rich heritage.

A tour of Granadas ferti le

Vega (the flood plain of theriver Genil) takes us to small

towns with a rich history, such

as Santa Fe , founded in 1491 as

the headquar ters of Fernand o

and Isabellas army, to prepare

the fina l assa ult on the Nas rid

kingdom. The four gates of the

old citadel are sti l l in place:

Granada, Loja, Seville and Jan.

The shades of green of strips

of poplars and or-chards characterise the

surroundings of such

villages as Chauchina,

Fuente Vaqueros and

Cijuela, where accor-

ding to legend Alha-

mar, the founder of the

kingdom of Granada,

led the to recovery

of its irr igation sys-

tems and channels . The

Vega de Granadavisitors centre in Belicena is housed in a former tobacco-drying shed

built in 1953.

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The r ich archaeolog ica l remains

dating from prehistoric times to the

Muslim period bring together such

villages as Vegas del Genil , Cllar Vega

and Churriana de la Vega , with remains

of an old construction in Plaza de la

Constitucin, and where, accordingto tra dit ion , the sur render of Boabdi l

was arranged with Ferdinand and Isabellas emissaries. A Roman villa, with

remains of baths and crypts, announces our arrival in Las Gabias.

Sixteen 16 kilometres to the south-west of the city lies La Malah, a name

derived from the Arabic al-Malaha, which means salt farm. The salt mi-

ned here was delivered by

Ferdinand and Isabella to

El Zagal, and the medicinal

waters of the spa here are

a major tourist attraction.

One of the most specta-

cular views of Granada and

the Vega can be enj oyed

from the promontory on

which Otura was built .

Not far from the village

is the place known as the

Moors Sigh, where the

dethroned king Boabdil

wept as he said his last farewell to his beloved

kingdom. Alhendn and Armilla, in an area that

was first settled in ancient times, conclude ourroute through the Granadas fertile plain, with

sights including the 16th-century church of Nues-

tra Seora de la Concepcin a nd the Cor tijo de

los Huertos archaeological site.

Santa Fe

Chauchina

La Malah

Las Gabias

The house in Fuente Vaqueros

where Lorca was born

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Near the banks of the river Genil are such towns as Maracena and

Albolote, with a rich artistic heritage that includes the church of La En-

carnacin del Hijo de Dios y Anunciacin de Nuestra Seora.

The remains found in Atarfebring visitors closer to the former Roman

settlement of Iliberis. The medicinal properties of the sulphur-rich waters

of the Sierra Elvira underground springs have been appreciated sinceancient times.

Testimony of the historical importance of the site of todays town of Pinos

Puente is provided by the remains of the Roman town of Illurco (Cerro

de los Prncipes), the Ibero-Roman settlements at Cerro de las Agujetas

and Cerro de los Infantesm and Cor tijo de Darangoleja, a late Roman villa.

Around Cubillas reservoir

are the villages of Peligros

an d Calicasas, as well as

Gevjar, whose manor house

was totally destroyed by anearthquake in 1755, while

another quake, at Christmas

time in 1884, known as the

Andalusian Earthquake An-

daluca, forced the village to

relocate to its current site.

Pulianas and Jun, which are

now suburbs of the city, have

a rich tradition in terracotta

and pottery.

In the beautiful landscapes

of Sierra de Hutor Nature

Park, where ravines alternate

with calares and mountain

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streams, nestle a cluster of villages with special charm, despite still being

close to the city.

In Cogollos Vega the 17th century parish church houses an image of

the Pur sima att ributed to Alonso Cano, as wel l as remains of Mooris h

baths. In Nvar , originally a Moorish watchtower, the Plaza de la Iglesia is

worth a visit, as is the so-called Balcony of Nvar (Calle de los Pretiles),where the truce between Abenamar and John II was signed. The Pea de

Bartolo site is also of great archaeological value.

As part of its architectural heritage Vznarconser ves El Cuzco Palace,

built in 1800, where the Granada-born poet and dramatist Federico Garca

Lorcawas held prisoner before he was shot in 1936.

The name of Hutor Santillnbrings together both Moorish and Chris-

tian tra dit ions. Huto r

is probably derived from

the Arabi c wad i (ri ver) ,

whi le Sant i l ln comesfrom the Christian con-

quest, referring to the

local devotion to St Illn.

Older documentary re-

ferences also mention

Beas de Granada on

the Roman road to Acc i

(Guadix), hence the name

Veas (road).

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Archaeological site in Atarfe

Gevjar

Nvar

Cuzco Palace, Vznar

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When the Moors arrived in the province of Granada they fortified thetowns and bui lt an impres sive network of for tre sses and border cas tle s.

Granadas Costa Tropicalreached its peak splendour during this period,with such defensive structures as San Miguel Castle, in Almucar, whichwas later rebuilt by the Christians, Salobrea Castle, with its fine HomageTower and Castell de Ferro.

The Moorish castle at Alhama deGranada , remains of llora Castle,

the Lo ja fo r tr es s comp le x, wh ic hdates back to the Omeya period, andMocln and Montefro castles, both ofwhich are National Monuments, are

the fi ne st ex ampl esof the Moorish pastin western Granadaprovince.

In Granadas high

plain to the East

the Baza and Huscar

areas we can stillsee Baza Alcazaba,

the rema ins of CastrilCastle, and, in Orce,

the Alc azaba de la sSiete Torres and Sa-lar and Umbra wat-chtowers, en Orce.

In the Guadix andEl Marquesado area,of particular note are

the Alca zaba and the10th- and 11th-cen-

tur y wal ls in Guadix .

A province

SalobreaAlmucarLojaMontefro. Pea de los GitanosAlhama de Granada

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Granada provinces rich heritage gives us an idea of the historical and

cultural importance of this last holdout of Muslim Spain. We present here

only the briefest of outlines of the provinces monuments and archaeo-

logical sites, since the Provincial Tourism Department has published a set

of specific guides for each area of the province where more detailed

information can be found.

For centuries Granadas Costa Tropicalwas the port of entry for cultu-

res and civilisations who chose this territory to settle and develop their

tra dit ions and ways of life . Ma jor Neo lithic remains have been conser ved

at the Cave of the Bats in Albuol.

The Phoenicians and Romans also arrived on these shores, developing a

prosperous economy largely based on trade and the exchange of goods

an economic boom tha t woul d be ref lec ted in the str uctures from

the per iod tha t have sur vived in Almucar: the Phoenician la necropolis

of Puente de Noy, the Punic necropolis of Laurita, a Roman aqueduct, a

Roman salt-fish factory, the Cave of the Seven Palaces and funeral niches,

also dating from Roman times.

Weste rn Granada prov ince is ric h in archaeological sites, inc lud ing the

Pea de los Gitanos in Montefro, with remains of megalithic burial remains,

and the Sierra Martilla sites and dolmens in Loja .

As this area became the border countr y between the Nasrid kingdom of

Granada and the Christian lands, many castles and for tresses were built. In

Alhama de GranadaMoorish baths and hot springs have been conserved

inside the towns spa

facilities.

The areas rel ig ious

architectural splendourbegan with the Chris-

tian conquest, with such

works as Gothic church

of La Encarnacin and

El Carmen Church in

Alhama de Gr anada, the

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Renaissance church of San Gabriel

in Loja, as well as the Neo-

classical church of La Encarnacin,

redolent of Agrippas Pantheon in

Rome, and the chu rch of the Villa

de Montefro.

The famous Lady of Baza statue

was found in Baza, a town on the

high plain of Baza and Huscar in

Granada province, and just one

of many archaeological treasures

found. In Baza you can visit the

Hoya de Baza archaeological com-

plex at the Cerro del Santuario

de los Tres Pagos, or the Ibero-

Roman town of Basti. Orce has

the pal eon tol ogi cal comple x of

Venta Micena and Barranco delPaso, while in Galera there is

the Ibe ria n nec ropo lis of Tt ugi,

where the Lady of Galera was

discovered.

The northernmost towns in the

area have a noble past, as eviden-

ced by the many mansion houses

and churches that were built as

symbols of the splendour of the

Christian conquest: the Colegiata

Concatedral de la Encarnacin, in

Baza, the Colegiata de Santa Mara

la Mayor, built by Diego de Silo,

in Huscar, and the Segura and

Belmonte Palaces, both in Orce.

A province

MontefroMoorish baths, BazaDolmen in GorafeEncarnacin College, BazaCollege interior, HuscarOrce castleLa Calahorra castleGuadix cathedral

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The Integrated Megalithic Theme Park in

Gorafe, with the largest concentrations of

dolmens in Andalusia, is a fine example of

the archaeological ric hness of the Guadix

and El Marquesado area . It is further com-

plemented by the remains of the Cueva

Hor, in Darro, the Neolithic and BronzeAge sites at Solana de Zamborino, in Fo-

nelas, the Cueva del Agua, with int eresting

cave paintings, in Iznalloz, the Cueva de las

Ventanas in Par, and the dolmen area

in El Mencal.

The town of Guadix is a monument in

its own right, with its outstanding cathedral,

combining Gothic,

Rena i s s ance and

Baroque styles, and

the chu rch of San-tiago, with its Mud -

jar t ower and por tal

by Diego de Silo.

Also worth a visit

is the Renaissance

castle-palace of La

Calahorra, with its

portico courtyard,

which has been de-

clared a National

Historical and Artis-tic Monument

of monuments

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monumental granada tourism guide

Documents