When in Granada
Situated where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the plain of the vega, Granada was established as an important farming destination and the agricultural lands remain to this day just outside the city limits.
The best time to visit this area is generally either during spring or autumn, as the heat of the summer sun can be wilting and travellers hoping to do some sightseeing may find themselves floored by the soaring temperatures! Winter can often be cold, although this is not a part of the world that is without the sun for very long.
The city is nestled beneath the mountains and sprawls over some of the foothills. Places such as the old Arabic quarter, known as the Albaicin, can be found on the hillsides and despite not being the centre of activity in Granada, they remain popular attractions for tourists, with some ancient buildings and old, cobbled streets.
Its long history means that Granada has had a number of influences which have transformed it over the years. Originally a settlement of native tribes, its location near the mountainous Sierra Nevada made it a key position for invaders and as such was taken over first by the Romans and later by the Arabs. Indeed, such was its prominence as a defensive outpost that Granada was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492.
But the Christians did not raze the area and start again, meaning that some of the oldest parts of Granada have remained to this day, including the wonderful Alhambra – one of the ten Wonders of the World. Pilgrims from across the globe arrive in Granada every year to visit this huge castle. Built over several generations and a number of centuries, the structure was begun in the 14th century, but was added to over the years so that it now contains a variety of different architectural styles.
The history of Granada plays a hugely important part in what is on show in the city today, as the number of ancient buildings erected by the Moors, Christians and others over the years have come together to create a unique city, unlike any other in the world. At the heart of the city, for example, is situated the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion, with its Royal Chapel. This ancient, gothic structure sits in the centre of the city and contains the tombs of Granada's Christian conquerors, King Ferdinand of Aragon and his wife, Queen Isabel of Castile.
The city is split into fairly clear sections, such as the main centre of the city at the heart of Granada, which hosts the cathedral and a number of other Christian buildings. On the hill sits the Albaicin, which houses the Arab section of the city and this is reflected in its older architecture.
Granada is one of the most visited cities in Spain, largely thanks to the wonderful Alhambra, but it has used this position to its advantage in recent years and as such has developed some wonderful places to eat, drink and stay which can be quite cheap. The bonus for visitors is that, because of the vast fertile plains which surround Granada, it can offer travellers some wonderful local produce, which can be much cheaper and fresher than in other areas.
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Introduction
