Calle Pag? Albaic?

Granada, Spain

by Eve Andersson

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Granada is a beautiful city in southern Spain. For nearly 800 years, it was ruled by the Moors, originally from North Africa, and their architectural mark on the city remains today. At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the city contains narrow, hilly, winding roads, some of which are steep enough to require stairs built into them. Despite the hills, the city is extremely walkable and pedestrian-friendly, with beauty at every turn.

The Alhambra

On a plateau overlooking Granada, with palaces, a fortress, gardens, and fountains, surrounded by a fortified wall, the Alhambra is an impressive complex of structures. It was built by the Moors over many centuries, with construction completed in the 14th century. Though the Alhambra was later marred by Spain's Christian rulers who destroyed some of the Moorish structures and constructed a Renaissance palace, it remains a breathtaking example of Moorish art and architecture, displaying delicacy and grace, with many interesting geometric patterns.

Viewed from Afar

These photos were taken from Mirador de San Nicolás, a hilltop vantage point in the Albaicín area of Granada, at various times of day.


View of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicol?(8:03pm). View of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicol?(8:45pm). View of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicol?(10:26pm).


Nasrid Palace

This is the jewel of the Alhambra, with intricate stucco and tile work.

Exterior of hexagonal dome, Sala de las Dos Hermanas, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Hexagonal dome, Sala de las Dos Hermanas, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. One interesting point is that building exteriors tend to be minimalist, whereas the interiors are richly decorated. To the left are two views of the dome of Sala de las Dos Hermanas.




Patio de los Arrayanes, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Patio de los Arrayanes seen through an arch in the Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Column detail, Mexuar, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Silhouette of a couple, Salon de Comares, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arch at Court of Lions. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arches at Court of Lions. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arches. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Door. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arch. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Column with ceramic mosaic, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Wall mosaic, Mexuar, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arches, Sala de las Dos Hermanas, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arch with muqarnas, Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Palace baths. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Wall detail. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Patio outside Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Arch leading to Sala de las Dos Hermanas, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Arches looking toward Patio de los Leones, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Windows in Comares Hall, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Wall, Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Shadow of a balcony railing at night, Mexuar, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Oratory, Mexuar, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Arches leading to patio. Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Patio de los Arrayanes, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Wall with stucco pattern and portion of the ceiling with muqarnas, Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Stucco, calligraphic wall decoration, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#8). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#9). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on ceiling (#2). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#3). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#4). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#1). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Pattern on wall (#6). Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Stucco arabesque, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Stucco mosaic in Comares Hall, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Stucco mosaic in Comares Hall, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Floor, Mexuar, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Wall mosaic, Patio de los Arrayanes, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Ceiling detail, Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night. Wall with stucco pattern, Sala de la Barca, Nasrid Palace, Alhambra at night.

Alcazaba

The oldest and most heavily fortified part of the Alhambra, the name Alcazaba is derived from the Arabic word for "citadel".

Exterior of the Alcazaba (fortress), Alhambra. Barrio Castrense, Alcazaba, Alhambra. Torre de la Vela (Watch Tower), Alcazaba, Alhambra.

Albaic? viewed from the Alhambra. Beautiful views of the city of Granada are to be had from the towers of the Alcazaba.

Mosque Baths

Mosque baths, Alhambra. Mosque baths, Alhambra. Mosque baths, Alhambra. Mosque baths, Alhambra.

Generalife

These palaces and lush gardens next to the Alhambra were constructed in the 14th century.

Garden and fountain. Palacio del Generalife. Fountain and arc of trees. Generalife. Fountain, Generalife. Flowers and view of the Alhambra from Generalife. Roses and view of the Alhambra from Generalife. Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel) at night, Palacio de Generalife. Palacio de Generalife at night. Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel), Palacio de Generalife. Arch detail, Sala Regia (Regal Hall), Palacio de Generalife. Torre de Ismail (Tower of Ismail) at night, Palacio de Generalife. Red and yellow flowers, Generalife gardens.

Other Alhambra Photos

The Partal, Alhambra. La Puerta del Vino (The Wine Gate), which inspired Claude Debussy's eponymous piece of music, despite never having seen it. The Alhambra. Reflection pool in garden outside Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Red and yellow flowers, Parador de San Francisco, Alhambra. Hotel America, Alhambra. Garden outside Nasrid Palace, Alhambra. Palacio de Carlos V, Alhambra at night. View of Granada from Palacio del Partal, Alhambra. Garden, Parador de San Francisco, Alhambra. Magenta and yellow flowers, Parador de San Francisco, Alhambra. Pink rose, Parador de San Francisco, Alhambra. Pomegranates at the Alhambra. Fish in a pond and a reflected tree, Parador de San Francisco, Alhambra.

Albaicín

The old Moorish area of Granada, El Albaicín, has narrow, stone roads, steep hills, whitewashed houses, Arab baths (El Bañuelo), an incredible viewpoint (Mirador de San Nicolás), a church that retains a Moorish patio (San Salvador Church), and lively streets and restaurants.

Albaic? including Mirador de San Nicol? viewed from the Alhambra. Calle del Candil, Albaic? with the Alhambra in the background. Door of El Agua Casa De Vinos, decorated with flower pots. Placeta del Aljibe de Trillo. Albaic? Calle de Grajales, Albaic? Moorish door. Calle de Cruz de Quir?Albaic? El Ba?o Teteria (Moorish tea room). Albaic? El Ba?o, 11th century Arab baths. Albaic? Door, located at Beso 10. Albaic? Placeta de la Victoria at night. Albaic? Calle del Correo Viejo, Albaic? Balcony with flowers. Calle Puerta Nueva, Albaic? Calle de Cruz de Quir?Albaic? Calle de San Juan de los Reyes, Albaic? Graffiti. A face around an unused door says, "Casas sin gente / gente sin casa" ("Homes without people / people without homes"). Calle de San Juan de los Reyes, Albaic? White buildings. Veredilla de San Agust? Albaic? Window covered with plants. Veredilla de San Agust? Albaic? Cuesta de las Tomasas. Albaic? Mysteriously soapy boy near Plaza Larga, Albaic? Muralla de la Alcazaba, 8th century wall that protected the city, viewed from Mirador de San Crist?. Albaic? Plaza de San Crist?. Albaic? Old Moorish patio retained in Iglesia del Salvador. Albaic? Calle Puerta Nueva. Albaic? House decorated with plates. Calle del Horno de San Agust?(Street of Saint Augustine's Oven). Albaic? People sitting on the wall. Mirador de San Nicol? Albaic? Stone road. Some stones look nearly gold. Callej?e las Tomasas. Albaic? Mirador de San Nicol? Albaic

Sacromonte

This neighborhood of Granada is known for flamenco and for its cave houses built into the hills.

Cueva la Flagra (Flagra Cave). Camino del Sacromonte. Interior of Cueva la Z?ara (Z?ara Cave), a cave house/bar. Camino del Sacromonte. White houses on Camino del Sacromonte. Door of a cave house. Camino del Sacromonte. Venta el Gallo restaurant. Camino del Sacromonte. White houses. Sacromonte. Sacromonte and a muralla, an 8th century wall that protected the city, viewed from Carril de San Agust? Albaic? Cuevas la Faraona. Camino del Sacromonte. Sacromonte. Camino del Sacromonte. Sacromonte.

Alcaicería

This used to be the city's Moorish silk market, although now a variety of goods are sold, catering primarily to tourists. The current structures were built in 1845 (after a fire, two years earlier, destroyed the market), but the original Moorish style remains.

Entrance to the Alcaicer? originally Granada's Moorish silk bazaar. City center. Alcaicer? originally Granada's Moorish silk bazaar. City center. Alcaicer? originally Granada's Moorish silk bazaar. City center. Alcaicer? originally Granada's Moorish silk bazaar. City center. Lamps sold in the Alcaicer? originally Granada's Moorish silk bazaar. City center.

Cathedral

This cathedral in the middle of Granada was built over the course of 181 years (1523 - 1704) in multiple architectural styles. Inside it is beautiful and impressively spacious, with a stained glass rotunda.

Granada Cathedral exterior. Stained glass rotunda. Granada Cathedral. Statue of innocent-looking woman standing next to decapitated man's head. Granada Cathedral. Organ pipes. Granada Cathedral. Columns of the Granada Cathedral. Granada Cathedral. Mirror and symmetry in the Granada Cathedral. People enjoying the sun on steps in from of the Granada Cathedral. Granada Cathedral, in a sea of other buildings in the city center, viewed from the Alhambra.

Plaza Bib-Rambla

At the heart of Granada, near the Cathedral, lies the Plaza Bib-Rambla, a lively square with historic and interesting fixtures, such as the 17th century Fuente de los Gigantes (Fountain of the Giants) and 19th century lampposts with legs modeled after horses.

Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center. Restaurant at night. Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center. Stone mosaic, Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Woman in a red dress on a balcony. Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Fuente de los Gigantes (Fountain of the Giants), a 17th century fountain. Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Fountain at night. Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center. One giant in the 17th century Fuente de los Gigantes (Fountain of the Giants). Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Neptune. Fuente de los Gigantes (Fountain of the Giants). Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Girl sitting under lights. Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center. Lamppost detail: horse's hoof. Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Lamppost detail, Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center. Lamppost detail. Plaza de Bib-Rambla, city center.

Other Central Granada

Central Granada viewed from Camino del Sacromonte. Row of street lights at night. Calle Gran V?de Col? City center. Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana. City center. Calle Carcel Baja, city center. Street lamp covered with leaves, Calle de los Mesones, city center. Puente de Cabrera, over the Darro River, at night. City center. Entrance archway. Corral del Carbon (Coal House). City center. Cuesta de Abarqueros. City center. Carrera del Darro. City center, bordering on Albaic? Gardens of the Palacio de los C?va (16th century). City center. Girl in front of fountain. Paseo de los Tristes (Promenade of the Sad). City center. Late 16th century house near Granada Cathedral. City center. Darro River, with the Alhambra in the background. City center. Plaza Isabel la Cat?a, city center. Cuesta de Gom?z at night. Paseo de los Tristes (Promenade of the Sad), viewed from the Alhambra. Graffiti promoting vegetarianism, reading "Don't eat meat. Eat my [female body part]." Plaza de San Agust? city center. Graffiti reading "Fuck off Wikipedia", Callej?e los Franceses, city center. Colorful pomegranate bollards, Plaza de San Agust? city center.

Fiesta de las Cruces

Every May 3, la Fiesta de las Cruces (the Party of the Crosses) is celebrated in Spain. Groups of people get together and build displays involving a cross and symbols of things they produce or things that are important to them. In Spanish, the word for apple is ususally manzana, but in Granada, they call it a pero (the masculine version of the word for pear). The other meaning of the word pero is but. The apples with scissors stuck in them, present in many of the cross displays, represent destroying people's objections.

Cross for Fiesta de las Cruces in Plaza Largo. Albaic? Cross for Fiesta de las Cruces near the Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana. City center. Cross for Fiesta de las Cruces near the Granada Cathedral. City center. Scissors in an apple (called a "pero" -- which also means "but" in Granadan Spanish). Symbolizes destruction of objections. Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center.
Women dancing flamenco on the street at night during the Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza del Carmen. City center. Man and woman dancing flamenco on the street at night during the Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza del Carmen. City center. Girl in red. Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza del Carmen. City center. Three girls looking on street performers play music and others dance. Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza de Bib-Rambla. City center. Women dancing flamenco on the street at night during the Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza del Carmen. City center. People dancing flamenco on the street at night during the Fiesta de las Cruces. Plaza del Carmen. City center.

Olive Oil and Other Agriculture

Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world (olive, as well as almond and fig trees, are pictured below). I highly recommend an Olive Oil Tour; learning about old and modern methods of production, as well as drinking olive oil straight (like a wine tasting), are very enjoyable.

Olives growing on a tree. Nig?elas, Granada province. Figs growing on a tree. Nig?elas, Granada province. Almonds growing on a tree. Nig?elas, Granada province. 300-year-old olive tree. Nig?elas, Granada province.

Outdoor bins, where olives were initially dropped off. 15th century Moorish olive oil mill, used by the town of Nig?elas until 1920. Stone wheels. 15th century Moorish olive oil mill, used by the town of Nig?elas until 1920. Molino de Sangre (Mill of Blood), an olive crusher powered by donkeys. 15th century Moorish olive oil mill, used by the town of Nig?elas until 1920. 15th century Moorish olive oil mill, used by the town of Nig?elas until 1920. Terra cotta container from the 13th century. In a 15th century Moorish olive oil mill, used by the town of Nig?elas until 1920.

Bottles of olive oil. Nig?elas, Granada province. Olive oil tasting. Nig?elas, Granada province.

More photos: View all photos in the directory /photos/spain/.
Eve Andersson (eve@eveandersson.com)
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