Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada
Granada, Spain
02.05.2016
The Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín in Granada, Spain
The Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín are three interconnected UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in the city of Granada in southern Spain. These sites represent the rich cultural and architectural history of the region, with influences from the Moorish, Christian, and Jewish communities that have inhabited the area.
The Alhambra, meaning "the red one" in Arabic, is a fortress and palace complex that was built by the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th century. It is situated on a hilltop overlooking the city of Granada, and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Spain. Notable features of the Alhambra include the Nasrid Palaces, the Court of the Lions, and the Generalife Gardens.
The Generalife is a villa located adjacent to the Alhambra, built during the reign of Muhammad III in the 14th century. It was originally used as a summer palace and retreat for the Nasrid rulers. The Generalife Gardens are famous for their beautiful fountains, courtyards, and lush greenery, reflecting the Moorish style of gardening.
The Albayzín is the old Moorish quarter of Granada, known for its narrow streets, white-washed houses, and stunning views of the Alhambra. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 for its unique urban design and cultural significance. The Albayzín also contains important historical landmarks such as the Palace of Dar al-Horra, the former residence of Aixa, the mother of the last Nasrid king.
Today, the Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzín continue to attract millions of visitors each year, offering a glimpse into the rich history and diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city of Granada.
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Rising above the modern lower town, the Alhambra and the Albaycín, situated on two adjacent hills, form the medieval part of Granada. To the east of the Alhambra fortress and residence are the magnificent gardens of the Generalife, the former rural residence of the emirs who ruled this part of Spain in the 13th and 14th centuries. The residential district of the Albaycín is a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, into which the traditional Andalusian architecture blends harmoniously.
Granada ( grə-NAH-də; Spanish: [ɡɾaˈnaða] , locally [ɡɾaˈna]) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil and the Beiro. Ascribed to the Vega de Granada comarca, the city sits at an average elevation of 738 m (2,421 ft) above sea level, yet is only one hour by car from the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Tropical. Nearby is the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, where the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 1996 were held.
In the 2021 national census, the population of the city of Granada proper was 227,383, and the population of the entire municipal area was estimated to be 231,775, ranking as the 20th-largest urban area of Spain. About 3.3% of the population did not hold Spanish citizenship, the largest number of these people (31%; or 1% of the total population) coming from South America. Its nearest airport is Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport.
The area was settled since ancient times by Iberians, Romans, and Visigoths. The current settlement became a major city of Al-Andalus in the 11th century during the Zirid Taifa of Granada. In the 13th century it became the capital of the Emirate of Granada under Nasrid rule, the last Muslim-ruled state in the Iberian Peninsula. Granada was conquered in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs and progressively transformed into a Christian city over the course of the 16th century.
The Alhambra, a medieval Nasrid citadel and palace, is located in Granada. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the most visited tourist sites in Spain. Islamic-period influence and Moorish architecture are also preserved in the Albaicín neighborhood and other medieval monuments in the city. The 16th century also saw a flourishing of Mudéjar architecture and Renaissance architecture, followed later by Baroque and Churrigueresque styles. The University of Granada has an estimated 47,000 undergraduate students spread over five different campuses in the city. The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the heraldic device of Granada.
