Granada is the Spanish city with the population of 265 thousand people. The whole of it can be observed from the Suspiro del Moro place – “The Sigh of the Moor”. It is from here that the last Granada’s Moorish king, Boabdil, gave his last look over Granada. Catholic kings did not manage to turn this place into the Christian city, and still, despite the abundance of Christian churches and monasteries, it possesses a mysterious eastern soul. For several centuries, the city of Granada was the Moorish property. Those were the Moorish who left the evidences of their reign here – not only because they lived in Granada for a long time, but also because little has changed since their withdrawal. And today, you can still observe this influence in many city’s attractions, some of which are represented in this article.
Among the most interesting Granada attractions is the Archaeological Museum of Granada which occupies La Casa de Castril, a Renaissance palace. All kinds of archaeological objects, starting from the prehistoric times to the last Nasrid epoch are represented in this museum. Moreover, the museum’s courtyard allows a wonderful view over the city.
You will definitely not miss the building of Alhambra, as it is standing on a high hill dominating the city. Alhambra is not only the palace, it is the whole town surrounded by walls with fortresses, king’s chambers, barns and gardens found within these walls. However, according to the initial plan, Alhambra had to be a simple fortress. Unfortunately, after the Renacentist Charles the fifth ordered to ruin a part of the palace and build another palace with a church here. After that, Alhambra faced its collapse and was only renovated in the 19th century.
Alcazaba, or the Citadel is the only ensemble construction that beared the military role. The citadel was built approximately in the 13th century. In past, the soldiers’ barns were located here – however, almost nothing was left from these. To the left, there is the Adarves garden with cypresses, flowers and lots of fountains while a wonderful view over the city and the Sierra-Nevada peaks can be observed from La Vela (or La Campana) tower.
Among the important Granada’s attractions are the Nasrid Sultans’ Palaces, with lots of rooms and halls that are definitely worth observing. Those are il Cuarto Dorado (the Golden Room) and Patio de los Arrayanes (the Myrtle Yard) – a true pearl of Alhambra, the Comares tower – the highest tower in the city and Patio de los Leones (the Lions’ Yard) – the past center for sultans’ apartments, which is said to be the real heaven surrounded by four rivers. Among them there is the Generalife summer palace and country estate that is worth mentioning. Translated as “the architect’s garden”, it was the place where the Nasrid kings had their rest in summer time.
Granada's Cathedral was built by request of Isabella the Catholic and has several facades. The cathedral boasts its astonishing illumination and the main altar, which is often named a true pearl of the Spanish architecture.
And, finally, if you visit a la Cartuja monastery, you won’t regret it. Being a Cartesian monastery in past, it can now only offer its church and a beautifully adorned sacristy.
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