Explorations of Granada, an Andalusian gem.
Spain’s Andalusian region is home to a multitude of splendid places, and one of those splendid places is definitely Granada. Much like Seville, Granada has a giant palace, gorgeous churches and fun places to wander. I only spent two days here, but it was two days jam packed with gorgeousness.
A lot of the history of Granada is much like other towns in southern Spain. It was founded in about 650 BCE by a local Iberian tribe, the Bastetani. After Rome’s conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, it became a Roman colony named Iliberri and later when it was named a city, Florentia Iliberritana. The Moors conquered the area and by the 11th century, the city was thriving. The Emirate of Granada was the last area of Moorish Spain to fall to the Christians. The Moorish rulers survived until January 1492, while others had been falling for centuries elsewhere in Spain. The Christian conquerors were no other than Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II. They claim Granada even in death as their final resting place in the city’s cathedral.
After being conquered, Granada lost some of its standing due to Seville’s connection to trade with the Americas. Much of its population was later expelled because of unwillingness to convert to Christianity, leaving Granada’s growth stagnant. It wasn’t until after the Franco era and the rise of tourism did Granada reclaim its former glory and population.
There is much to see in Granada, so therefore I again will have multiple posts. The first two are explorations of the city and many of its gorgeous churches. The third and fourth are just the Alhambra and Generalife.
My first day in Granada started with an early morning visit to the Alhambra. I’m so glad I went early because I was there for a good chunk of time. This is what I found after that experience.
The Carrera del Darro is a lovely street located on the north side of the Alhambra.
The Darro River runs right along the street.
Along the Carrera del Darro is El Bañuelo, an eleventh century Arab baths, a hammam.
The bathhouse was used at least until the 16th century, when it was converted for other uses.
The Church of San Gil y Santa Ana sits at the beginning of the street.
The Casa del Horno del Oro, a home built in the traditional Moorish style.
The baths and the house are located in the old Arab neighborhood, the Albayzin.
So cute.
The Casa del Chapiz, another Moorish style home.
Now out of the Albayzin and we see Santos Justo y Pastor along the street.
Now for the fantastic Monasterio de San Jeronimo. This simple facade is very deceiving.
Just a gorgeous cloister.
A gorgeous cloister with an orange grove in the middle. So Andalusian.
It’s quite a church. The choir is above the entrance.
The church is covered with frescoes.
Fancy.
Next up is the Basilica de San Juan de Dios.
You know if a church’s Sacristy looks like this, it’s going to be fantastic.
I was expecting something fantastic but not a gold altar this large.
The golden altars continue.
The choir of this church is up there too.
Even the pulpit is golden.
This church is completely ridiculous.
Just gorgeous.
Upstairs, behind the altar, are even more golden rooms.
Yep, another dome and more gold right behind the altar.
Skeleton, anyone?
So much gold.
I so needed a break outside after all that gold. Gorgeous building seen from Plaza Isabel La Católica.
This gorgeousness is right across the street from the other building.
Gorgeous Ancient Roman mosaic at the Archaeological Museum of Granada.
The next morning I stumbled into this fanciness, Virgen de las Angustias.
A cool looking 13th century former school next to the cathedral.
The gorgeous building on the left is where they sell the tickets for the Royal Chapel of Granada, the door on the right. Isabella I and Ferdinand II were buried there along with a few other royals.
Granada is full of amazing churches and many museums. This is only a sample of what you can see around Granada. Next up, more Granada, including its gorgeous cathedral.
Check out my next post Granada where I see more of this gorgeous city.
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Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
