Granada Spain - Glorious City Of Southern Spain
by Linda Plummer
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!
About the author:
Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com
Top Tour of Spain providing information on Spain for travel, food, language and
living.
by Linda Plummer
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!
About the author:
Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com
Top Tour of Spain providing information on Spain for travel, food, language and
living.
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