Holiday Rentals,Golf & Walking in Spain · Andalucia · Granada

Granada

Granada is a true paradise for shopping, tasting tapas and having a drink on the flower market, near the Cathedral. At first, modern Granada, with its traffic fumes and high-rise apartment blocks, seems a disappointing world away from its Muslim past. However, the Alhambra, dominating the skyline from its hilltop perch, and the fascinating Albayzín, the old Islamic quarter which also rises above the modern city, are highlights of a visit to Andalucía.

However the city has more to offer. Its setting, with the backdrop of the often snow-capped Sierra Nevada, is magnificent; its greenness is a delight in Andalucía, and its climate pleasant, especially in spring and autumn. Granada also has some impressive historic post-Reconquista (Reconquest) buildings and thanks to its university, a vibrant youthful population, a buzzing cultural life, some excellent bars and a hopping nightlife. Granada is a wealthy city with an international feel. In tandem with this wealth subsists an underclass: you'll see quite a few beggars.

History

Granada 's history is one of internal crises because of the existence of a powerful landowning nobility successive wars with Castile . Successive kings of Granada sought political support and military aid from Morocco. Moroccan recruits caused the kingdom to undergo an intense process of 'arabisation', to cut itself off from all Castilian influences, and to develop an absolute form of government based on military support.

The central government's economic resources depended mainly on the silk industry and on external trade; the latter flourished because of the fortunate position of the chief port, Málaga, on the route from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic . Granada paid close attention to the Strait of Gibraltar ; for a whole century its rulers made efforts to secure control of the straits, allying to this end at different times with both Morocco and Castile . In 1306 Muhammad III (ruled 1302-09), then in possession of Ceuta and Gibraltar , seemed to have succeeded, but a powerful coalition soon reduced him to the modest position of vassal of the king of Castile . After 1340, when the battle of Río Salado settled the question of the straits in Castile 's favor, Granada adopted a policy of isolation, taking advantage of any propitious circumstance to strengthen its land frontiers. It was in this period that Yusuf I (ruled 1333-54) and Muhammad V (ruled 1354-59 and 1362-91) finished building the Alhambra.

The city's name may have been derived either from the Spanish granada, "pomegranate," a locally abundant fruit that appears on the city's coat of arms, or from its Moorish name, Karnattah (Gharnatah), possibly meaning "hill of strangers." Granada was the site of an Iberian settlement, Elibyrge, in the 5th century BC and of the Roman Illiberis. As the seat of the Moorish kingdom of Granada , it was the final stronghold of the Moors in Spain, falling to the Roman Catholic monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I in January 1492.

Museums in Granada - La Alhambra Castle

Almost unrivalled for beauty and architectural splendor, the entire city has been declared a national monument. It lies at the foot of Spain 's mightiest massif, the Sierra Nevada , and on the edge of an extraordinarily fertile plain. A provincial capital with a university, the city is divided by the Darro which runs underground the city centre. On the right lies Albaicín, the city's oldest quarter; on the left rises the imposing Alhambra . To the south the city is bordered by the Río Genil into which the Darro flows. This fertile area was already settled in the 5th Century BC and was known as Iliberis in Roman times. The city was founded under the Visigoths, whose domination ended with the Arab victory in 711. 'Elvira' ( Granada was just a nearby settlement) was ruled by a viceroy dependent upon Córdoba until the fall of the Caliphate in Córdoba in 1031. During the next two centuries Granada was ruled by the Berber dynasty of the Almoravides and then Berber Almohades, until the first Nasrite king, Mohammed I, established a kingdom in 1241. After the capture of Córdoba by the Christian armies in 1236 the town increased in importance, reaching its brilliant zenith under the rule of the Moorish Nasrites, who were tolerated by the Castilian kings. It was the only surviving bastion of Islam in Spain until the last king of Granada had to relinquish the city to Ferdinand and Isabella at the treaty of Santa Fé in 1491. The famous humanist Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (1503-75), who was born in Granada , described the capture of the town. In the same way that the Alhambra palace was built during the Nasrite dynasty and a lively cultural environment was able to develop in the densely populated and wealthy city, so too were the new Spanish powers able to enrich Granada with splendid Renaissance and baroque buildings. However, from 1570, following the expulsion of the Moors who had rebelled against the repressive measures of Philip II, the economical and historical importance of Granada declined. Vital irrigation systems, being destroyed at the time were not rebuilt until the 20th century. In the 17th century the versatile Granada-born artist, Alonso Cano, who was a painter, sculptor and architect, made an important contribution to the appearance of the town. His buildings were of a stylistic importance, which reached beyond the confines of Granada itself. The sculptor Pedro de Mena, who was also born in Granada was Cano´s pupil.

You can buy a ticket at the ticket office (very busy) or you can make a reservation at the BBVA bank tel.: 902 22 44 60 (English speaking). To make a reservation you need your credit card. www.alhambratickets.com enables you to book in advance.

La Alhambra Museum

Housed in the Palace of Carlos V , within the Alhambra , this museum contains outstanding Hispano-Moorish works of art from the 9th to the 16th centuries, including ceramics, wood, plaster, and metals. In addition, there is a section of Oriental Moorish art.

Museum of Fine Arts

This museum preserves important works of art starting from the 16th century, including pieces by Alonso Cano and Machuca. Especially noteworthy is the sculpture El Entierro de Cristo (The Burial of Christ) by Jacobo Florentino. Other art objects from former convents and churches in Granada can also be admired.

Royal Chapel Museum

This museum houses important works of great historical and artistic value, including the crown and scepter of Queen Isabella and a priceless collection of panels from the Flemish School , a gift from the Queen to Granada . Cathedral. Buses 3, 4 & 8. Open: 10am to 1pm and 3:30pm to 6pm . From April to September afternoon hours are 4 to 7pm. Telephone: 958 22 92 39

Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation

A collection of decorative arts, important archeological artifacts, and some works by the Granada-born painter José María Rodríguez-Acosta are on display. Callejón del Niño del Royo. Advanced booking for visits is necessary. Open: 10am to 1:30pm . Telephone: 958 22 74 97

Archeological Museum

A collection of artifacts from prehistoric to Tartessian, Phoenician and Iberian cultures. Carrera del Darro, 41. Open: Tuesday 3pm to 8pm , Wednesday to Saturday 9am to 8pm , Sunday 9am to 2:30pm . Telephone: 958 22 56 40

Other Important Museums

Casa de los Pisa Museum, House-Museum of Manuel de Falla, House-Museum of Federico García Lorca, Science Park.