Granada

Written: April 4th, 2008  Print This Page  Email This Page

Granada is a city located in the autonomous region of Andalucia, in the southern part of Spain. This highly urbanized city is a popular tourist destination, with its numerous historic structures and vibrant culture.

Sights & Activities

Granada is the location of the Alhambra, the residence of Moorish rulers belonging to the Nasrid dynasty. The palace was completed in the later part of the 14th century and is quite plain and simple to behold on the outside. Its true beauty lies in its sumptuously decorated interiors. The palace features underground rooms where the baths are located. It also contains the Court of Lions, where a large fountain with twelve marble lions is centrally located. This court is surrounded with an arcade bearing more than a hundred columns. Visitors can explore the halls of the palace and should make sure to enter the Hall of Two Sisters, considered to have the finest decorations in the whole complex. The palace also features several towers that are part of its fortifications.

Also located inside the fortifications of Alhambra is the unfinished Palace of Charles V. Construction of the palace started in 1526 and was planned to be of High Renaissance style. In the present times, visitors can behold only its completed parts, the façade and the inner courtyard. The palace now houses the National Museum of Hispano-Muslim Art as well as the Provincial Museum of Art, which displays the works of local artists.

Situated east of the palace is the church of Santa Maria, built on the site of a mosque.

Just a short distance east of the Alhambra is the Generalife, a summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid sultans. The estate was completed in 1319 and is considered as the one of the oldest Moorish gardens that survived until the present times. It is one site where visitors can spend the whole day in quiet and be surrounded with natural beauty.

Visitors can also head out to the Casa Museu Falla, which is housed in a building where the famous composer once lived for many years. The museum showcases items related to his works and also displays his personal mementos.

In the center of the city is the Cathedral of the Annunciation or the Granada Cathedral, Spain’s first Renaissance church. It is a richly decorated structure that was built in the 16th century. The interior bears beautiful stained glass windows and numerous paintings by Spanish and foreign artists. It also contains the tombs of several Spanish royalty, including those of Ferdinand and Isabella.

Located north of the cathedral is the La Cartuja, a Carthusian monastery that was established in 1516 and is of Spanish Baroque style that is considered one of the finest buildings of its kind in the whole country. The monastery houses a collection of paintings of exceptional beauty and value.

Every June, the city celebrates its International Music and Dance Festival, which lasts for two weeks and is highlighted by numerous dance performance, operas, flamenco demonstrations, and musical performances.

Weather

Granada is one city in Spain that does not experience frequent rain showers. Its climate is described as Mediterranean with constant sunny weather during the months of June to September. July is considered to be the hottest month, with autumn ushering in during the later part of October. In this time, Granada becomes a pleasant city to explore during the day, though nights can turn cold. The later part of autumn is marked with several rain showers. Winter is still mild with occasional frost. Though sunshine is still plenty, the sky can suddenly turn cloudy and overcast in a matter of minutes. The chilly temperature persists even during the early weeks of spring. Once the weather warms up, tourists come pouring in into this lovely city.