Granada

The Muslim heritage in Spain

Granada is one of the pearls of Spain, most visited by tourists from all over the world. The long-time capital of Moorish Andalusia has to offer the most important reminds of this epoch in Spanish history, with the world-famous Alhambra at the top of the list.

The city is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain-massif with great possibilities for winter sports. The highest peak, Mulhacén, arrives to 3478 meters. On the other hand it is not far from the Mediterranean sea, so Granada is a great place to visit in any season.

The choice of Granada as burial place of the Catholic Monarchs grants us an idea of the significant role that the city had in the shaping of the new kingdom of Spain in the 15th century. This is especially true if we consider that the emperor Carlos V chose the city to build the royal mausoleum of the Spanish monarchy. Granada was the last Muslim capital in Spain. When it was defeated, in 1492, the union process of the Spanish kingdoms began. So the city became a symbol of a new era. However, the main reason to visit Granada remains the Alhambra, the Moorish castle later partially converted into Christian Royal palace. Its beauty is hardly found anywhere else. It really is a must for all the visitors to Spain.

Walk through beautiful gardens, charming narrow streets filled with flowers, sit down in one of those typical taverns to have some of that famous Trévelez ham and local wine, and breath the centuries of history around you anywhere. There are gypsies singing flamenco, and don’t miss to visit their famous cuevas (caves) in the mountain of the monastery of Sacromonte where some of them really live still nowadays making magnificent handicraft. Granada’s popular festivals, based as well on Moorish as Christian tradition, are most attractive. Moreover, the city is arguably the best example of the Spanish tradition of tapas . People are given a free tapa (some of which are superb) with every single drink in bars. You don't need to go to a restaurant! This, together with the great quantity of University students staying there, makes Granada one of the liveliest and most interesting cities in Spain.