Granada

 

city (1990 pop. 268,674), capital of Granada prov., S Spain, in Andalusia, at the confluence of the Darro and Genil rivers. Formerly (17th cent.) a silk center, Granada is now a trade and processing point for an agricultural area that is also rich in minerals. Beautifully situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, the city also is a major tourist center, attractive because of its art treasures and rich history. Ski resorts in the nearby mountains also bring many visitors to the area.

Located in Granada is the famous Alhambra, an old Moorish citadel and royal palace, which dominates the city and the old Muslim quarter from a hill; on the same hill is the palace of Emperor Charles V. The Palacio del Generalife, summer residence of the Moorish rulers, has celebrated gardens. Christian edifices include a 16th-century cathedral, in late Gothic and plateresque style; the adjoining royal chapel, containing the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella; and a Carthusian monastery (16th cent.). There is also a museum dedicated to the poet and dramatist Federico García Lorca. Across the Darro River and facing the Alhambra is the Sacromonte hill, honeycombed with Gypsy caves.

Granada was originally a Moorish fortress and rose to prominence during the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties. In 1238 it became the seat of the kingdom of Granada, last refuge of the Moors whom the Christian reconquest had driven south; the kingdom occupied the present provinces of Almería and Málaga and parts of Jaén and Cádiz. The concentration of Moorish civilization in Granada gave the city great splendor and made it a center of commerce, industry, art, and science. However, the kingdom was weakened by continuous feuds among noble families, notably the Zegris and the Abencerages, and was conquered by Ferdinand II and Isabella I during the reign of Boabdil (Muhammad XI). With the surrender (Jan., 1492) of the city of Granada, the Moors lost their last hold in Spain, and the kingdom was united with Castile. The city became an archiepiscopal see and, in 1531, the seat of a university.

Granada
La Alhambra from Mirador San Nicolás
Image:Escudo de Granada.gif Flag Coat of Arms
Location
Coordinates : 37°10′41″N 003°36′03″W / 37.17806, -3.60083Coordinates: 37°10′41″N 003°36′03″W / 37.17806, -3.60083 Time zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer : CEST (GMT +2)
General information
Native name	Granada (Spanish)
Spanish name	Granada
Postal code	18000
Website	www.granada.org
Administration
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Andalusia
Province	Granada
Comarca	Vega de Granada
Mayor	José Torres Hurtado (PP)
Geography
Land Area	88 km²
Altitude	666 m AMSL
Population
Population	237,929 (2007)
Density	2,703 hab./km² (2007)

Granada - Arabic: غرناطة – Greek: Ἐλιβύργη (Steph. Byz.) - Elibyrge; Latin: Illiberis (Ptol. ii. 4. § 11) or Illiberi Liberini (Pliny iii. 1. s. 3); – is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level. At the 2005 census, the population of the city of Granada proper was 236,982, and the population of the entire urban area was estimated to be 472,638, ranking as the 13th-largest urban area of the Spanish Kingdom. About 3.3% of the population did not hold Spanish citizenship, the largest number of these (31%) coming from South America.

The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. The Almohad urbanism with some fine examples of Moorish and Morisco constructions is preserved at the part of the city called the Albaicin.

Granada is also well-known within Spain due to the prestigious University of Granada and, nowadays, wild night-life. In fact, it is said that it is one of the three best cities for college students (the other two are Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela).^{[citation needed]}

The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the heraldic device of Granada.

History

Pre-Nasrid

The city has been inhabited from the dawn of history. There was an Ibero-Celtic settlement here, which made contact in turn with Phoenicians, Carthagenians and Greeks. By the 5th century BCE, the Greeks had established a colony which they named Elibyrge or Elybirge (Greek: Ἐλιβύργη). Under Roman rule, in the early centuries CE, this name had become "Illiberis". As Illiberis, the city minted its own coins. The Visigoths maintained the importance of the city as a centre of both ecclesiastical and civil administration and also established it as a military stronghold.

A Jewish community established itself in what was effectively a suburb of the city, called "Gárnata" or "Gárnata al-yahud" (Granada of the Jews). It was with the help of this community that Moorish forces under Tariq ibn-Ziyad first took the city in 711, though it was not fully secured until 713. They referred to it under the Iberian name "Ilbira", the remaining Christian community calling this "Elvira", and it became the capital of a province of the Caliphate of Cordoba. Civil conflicts that wracked the Caliphate in the early eleventh century led to the destruction of the city in 1010. In the subsequent reconstruction, the suburb of Gárnata was incorporated in the city, and the modern name in fact derives from this. With the arrival of the Zirid dynasty in 1013, Granada became an independent sultanate. By the end of the eleventh century, the city had spread across the Darro to reach what is now the site of the Alhambra.

Nasrid Kingdom of Granada

Main article: Nasrid dynasty

In 1228, with the departure of the Almohad prince, Idris, who left Iberia to take the Almohad leadership, the ambitious Ibn al-Ahmar established the longest lasting Muslim dynasty on the Iberian peninsula - the Nasrids. With the Reconquista in full swing after the conquest of Cordoba in 1236, the Nasrids aligned themselves with Ferdinand III of Castile, officially becoming a tributary state in 1238. The state officially becoming the Kingdom of Granada in 1238. The Nasrid sultans and kings were responsible for building most of the palaces in the Alhambra. The taifa became a vassal state of the Christian kingdom of Castile for the next 250 years. The Nasrid sultans and kings paid tribute to the Christian kings and cooperated with them in the battle against rebellious Muslims under Castilian rule.

Initially the kingdom of Granada linked the commercial routes from Europe with those of the Maghreb. The territory constantly shrank, however, and by 1492, Granada controlled only a small territory on the Mediterranean coast. Arabic was the official language, and was the mother tongue of the majority of the population.

Granada was held as a vassal to Castille for many decades, and provided trade links with the muslim world, particularly the gold trade with the sub-saharan areas south of Africa. The Nasrids also provided troops for Castille while the kingdom was also a source of mercenary fighters from North Africa. However, Portugal discovered direct the African trade routes by sailing around the coast of West Africa. Thus Granada became less and less important for Castille and with the unification of Castille and Aragon in 1479, those kingdoms set their sights on conquering Granada and Navarre.

On January 2, 1492, the last Muslim leader, Muhammad XII, known as Boabdil to the Spanish, surrendered complete control of Granada, to Ferdinand and Isabella, Los Reyes Católicos ("The Catholic Monarchs"), after the city was besieged.

See Nasrid dynasty for a full list of the Nasrid rulers of Granada. The most prominent members of the dynasty were:

• Mohammed ibn Alhamar (died 1273), the founder of the dynasty
• Yusuf I (1334–1354)
• Muhammed V (1354–1391), builder of the royal palace within the Alhambra
• Boabdil of Granada, the last of the line, who surrendered in 1492 to Ferdinand and Isabel and was given the Alpujarras mountains to rule to the East of Granada, although he left for Tlemsen in Morocco.

After the fall of Granada

The fall of the Moors is one of the more significant events in Granada's history. The Alhambra decree of the Christian Monarchs forced the predominantly Muslim population to convert to Roman Catholicism or face death. Those who managed to survive the inquisition fled to their ancestral lands in North Africa. Arabic lost its place in everyday life and was replaced by Castilian. The mosques, some on sites of former Christian churches, were converted to Christian uses. Part of the predominantly Muslim population was gradually converted to Roman Catholicism and remaining Muslims were eventually expelled to surrounding rural areas, leading to the Revolt of the Alpujarras in 1568. Jews were immediately expelled following the Alhambra decree of 1492.

The fall of Granada holds an important place among the many significant events that mark the latter half of the 15th century. It ended the eight hundred year-long Islamic presence in the Iberian Peninsula. Freed from conflicts with the Muslims, a united Spain advanced to first rank among the nations of Europe, and embarked onto its greatest phase of expansion around the globe leading to the 'discovery' of the Americas by Isabella's prodigy Christopher Columbus and followed by what was to become the Spanish Empire, one of the largest empires of the world for the coming centuries.

Architecture

There are many important Moorish and Catholic architectural sites in Granada:

• The Alhambra and Generalife
• The Palace of Charles V
• Granada's Cathedral
• Capilla Real. Royal Chapel, with the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Kings
• El Albayzín, or Albaicín: The ancient Arab quarter, containing many original houses from the 16th century
• The Charterhouse: One of the most impressive pieces of ornamental Baroque in Spain
• Calle Calderería: An Albayzin street where you can taste Arab typical food, especially teas and desserts from North Africa
• El Cármen de los Mártires: A lovely palace with a beautiful botanic garden near the Alhambra
• Santa Ana Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style
• San Salvador Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style. With Moorish Almohad patio from the former mosque
• El Corral del Carbón: Deposit of merchandise and shelter of merchants. Adapted after 16th century for theater plays
• Hospital Real: Founded in 1504 by the Reyes Católicos, now part of the University
• Santo Domingo Church: Funded in 1512 by the Reyes Católicos
• San José Church: On the site of the "moans" Almorabitín, the mosque of the morabites, one of oldest in Granada, dating from the 10th century

• Sacromonte Abbey: Founded in the 17th century. Legend says that the catacombs under the church were the site of the martyrdom of San Cecilio, the city's first bishop and now its patron saint
• Old University: Now the School of Law, it retains its original 17th century facade
• Bermejas Towers: Strongpoints on the encircling wall of the Alhambra, they date from the 8th and 9th centuries
• Basilica San Juan de Dios: Basilica where the rest of this saint rest. Sample of Granada's baroque
• The Gate of Elvira: The principal Gate to the old city Part of the Moorish wall
• Casa de los Tiros, 16th century. With a complex iconographic program of sculputure and painting about Spanish history and full of cryptograms, it was the palace of Gil Vázquez-Rengifo, who helped the Catholic Kings in the fight for the city. Nowadays it is a museum where visitors can follow the history of Granada from the Middle Age to the present day
• The 16th century Castril palace which hosts the Archaeological Museum of Granada

Although many Muslim buildings were destroyed by the Christian era in Granada those that are remaining make the most complete group of Moorish housing architecture in Europe. Palaces like Dar al Horra, or Alcazar Genil, or houses like the house of the Horno de Oro, the house of Chapiz, or the house of Abén Humeya, are only some of the most famous. Public Baths like El Bañuelo or Alhambra Baths, and the complex of Arab public fountains and wells (aljibes), are unique in Europe. The Nasrid infrastructure net that feeds them (acequias) still functions in its majority: The Royal Acequia and the Cadí Acequia are some of them.

Districts of Granada

The city of Granada is divided into different districts, with their own specifics.

The Realejo

Realejo was the Jewish district at the time of the Nasride Granada. The integration of the Jewish people was so important, that Granada was known from the Al-Andalûs Country under the name of Granada of los judios (in Arabic, Garnata Al Yahood). It is today a district made up of many Andalusian villas, with gardens opening onto the streets, called Los Carmenes.

The Cartuja

This district contains the Carthusian monastery of the same name: Cartuja. This is an old monastery started in a late Gothic style with Baroque exuberant interior decorations. In this district also, many buildings were created with the extension of the University of Granada.

Bib-Rambla

The toponym existed at the time of the Arabs. Nowadays, Bib-Rambla is a high point for gastronomy, especially in its terraces of restaurants, open on beautiful days. The Arab bazaar (Alcaicería) is made up of several narrow streets, which start from this place and continue as far as the cathedral.

The Sacromonte

Main article: Sacromonte

Sacromonte is located on the extension of the hill of Albaycin, up the river of Darro. There are many caves dug into the rock, painted in white. The gypsies, people driven out of all parts of Europe, settled here starting in medieval times. Here they developed, Zambra Gitana, Andalusian dance originating in the Middle East, and which became flamenco. This zone is a protected cultural environment, under the auspices of the Centro de interpretación del Sacromonte.

The Albaicín

Albaicín, a hill located on right bank of the river Darro, transports the visitor to a unique world: the site of the ancient city of Elvira, so-called before the Zirid Moors renamed it Granada. It housed the artists who went up to build the palaces of Alhambra on the hill facing it. Time allowed its embellishment.

Parks and garden of Granada

• The garden of Fuente nueva
• The garden of Federico Garcia Lorca
• The garden of Carmen de los Martires
• The garden of Zaidin

Sport

Granada has three football teams:

• Granada 74, in Segunda División.
• Granada, in Segunda División B.
• Granada Atlético, in Tercera División.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography by William Smith (1857).

See also

• Ventura printers
• El Fandi

External links

• Ayuntamiento de Granada
• Web of Granada Tourist Office
• Granada travel guide
• (English) Granada: local tourist guide
• Granada NightLife
• Granada at the Open Directory Project
• Webcam Granada/Alhambra

Municipalities of Granada

Agrón · Alamedilla · Albolote · Albondón · Albuñán · Albuñol · Albuñuelas · Aldeire · Alfacar · Algarinejo · Alhama de Granada · Alhendín · Alicún de Ortega · Almegíjar · Almuñécar · Alpujarra de la Sierra · Alquife · Arenas del Rey · Armilla · Atarfe · Baza · Beas de Granada · Beas de Guadix · Benalúa · Benalúa de las Villas · Benamaurel · Bérchules · Bubión · Busquístar · Cacín · Cádiar · Cájar · Calicasas · Campotéjar · Cáñar · Caniles · Capileira · Carataunas · Cástaras · Castilléjar · Castril · Cenes de la Vega · Chauchina · Chimeneas · Churriana de la Vega · Cijuela · Cogollos de Guadix · Cogollos de la Vega · Colomera · Cortes de Baza · Cortes y Graena · Cuevas del Campo · Cúllar · Cúllar Vega · Darro · Dehesas de Guadix · Deifontes · Diezma · Dílar · Dólar · Dúdar · Dúrcal · El Pinar · El Valle · Escúzar · Ferreira · Fonelas · Freila · Fuente Vaqueros · Galera · Gobernador · Gójar · Gor · Gorafe · Granada · Guadahortuna · Guadix · Gualchos · Güejar Sierra · Güevéjar · Huélago · Huéneja · Huéscar · Huétor Tájar · Huétor Vega · Huétor de Santillán · Illora · Itrabo · Iznalloz · Jayena · Jerez del Marquesado · Jete · Jun · Juviles · La Calahorra · La Malahá · La Peza · La Taha · La Zubia · Láchar · Lanjarón · Lanteira · Las Gabias · Lecrín · Lentegí · Lobras · Loja · Los Guajares · Lugros · Lújar · Maracena · Marchal · Moclín · Molvízar · Monachil · Montefrío · Montejícar · Montillana · Moraleda de Zafayona · Morelábor · Motril · Murtas · Nevada · Nigüelas · Nívar · Ogíjares · Orce · Órgiva · Otura · Otívar · Padul · Pampaneira · Pedro Martínez · Peligros · Píñar · Pinos Genil · Pinos Puente · Polícar · Polopos · Pórtugos · Puebla de Don Fadrique · Pulianas · Purullena · Quéntar · Rubite · Salar · Salobreña · Santa Cruz del Comercio · Santa Fe · Soportújar · Sorvilán · Torre-Cardela · Torvizcón · Trevélez · Turón · Ugíjar · Valle del Zalabí · Válor · Vegas del Genil · Vélez de Benaudalla · Ventas de Huelma · Villamena · Villanueva Mesía · Villanueva de las Torres · Víznar · Zafarraya · Zagra · Zújar

World Heritage Sites in Spain

Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada · Altamira Cave · Aranjuez Cultural Landscape · Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida · Archaeological Ensemble of Tárraco (Tarragona) · Archaeological Site of Atapuerca · Ávila with its Extra-mural Churches · Burgos Cathedral · Cáceres · Catalan Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí · Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias, Seville · Cordoba · Cuenca · Doñana · El Escorial · Garajonay · Ibiza (Biodiversity and Culture) · Las Médulas · Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon · Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias · Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona · Palmeral of Elche · Poblet Monastery · Pyrénées - Mont Perdu (with France) · Renaissance Monuments of Úbeda and Baeza · Rock-Art on the Iberian Peninsula · Roman Walls of Lugo · Route of Santiago de Compostela · Salamanca · San Cristóbal de La Laguna · San Millán Yuso and Suso Monasteries · Santa María de Guadalupe · Santiago de Compostela · Segovia and its Aqueduct · Silk Exchange in Valencia · Teide National Park · Toledo · University and Historic Precinct of Alcalá de Henares · Vizcaya Bridge · Works of Antoni Gaudí

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