An Islamic Tour of Granada

Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the enchanting city of Granada, where the echoes of its Islamic past reverberate through its streets, architecture, and culture. This SEO-friendly Islamic tour of Granada invites you to explore the rich history, breathtaking landmarks, and spiritual significance that define the city’s Islamic heritage.

Tour Summary

Granada’s Islamic Legacy: Unveiling the Alhambra Palace

Unravel the Alhambra’s significance in Islamic history.
Explore the intricate designs of the Nasrid Palaces.
Witness the stunning Generalife Gardens.

Albaicín: The Moorish Quarter’s Charms

Wander through the narrow streets of Albaicín.
Admire the Alcazaba Cadima’s remains.
Experience the captivating Mirador de San Nicolás.

Islamic Art and Architecture at the Madrasah Yusufiyya

Delve into the architectural marvel of Madrasah Yusufiyya.
Appreciate the fusion of Islamic and Spanish styles.

Spiritual Haven: Granada’s Historic Mosques

Visit the Grand Mosque of Granada.
Learn about its role in preserving Islamic heritage.

Halal Culinary Delights: Exploring Islamic Gastronomy

Indulge in authentic Andalusian halal cuisine.
Discover the flavors that shaped Granada’s Islamic past.

Islamic Heritage Walk: Tracing the Steps of History

Follow a guided walking tour of significant sites.
Immerse yourself in the stories of the past.

Granada’s Islamic Legacy: Unveiling the Alhambra Palace

The Alhambra Palace stands as a testament to Granada’s Islamic heritage. Immerse yourself in the captivating Nasrid Palaces, where intricate Islamic designs adorn every surface. Discover the delicate beauty of the Court of Lions, with its iconic fountain representing paradise. Stroll through the Generalife Gardens, which offer resplendent views of the Alhambra and showcase the harmonious connection between architecture and nature.

Albaicín: The Moorish Quarter’s Charms

Step back in time as you traverse the charming labyrinth of Albaicín. Lose yourself in the authentic Moorish atmosphere as you explore the remains of the Alcazaba Cadima, a fortress that once guarded the city. Don’t miss the Mirador de San Nicolás, where you can gaze upon the Alhambra against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Islamic Art and Architecture at the Madrasah Yusufiyy

The Madrasah Yusufiyya stands as a masterpiece of Islamic art and architecture. Marvel at the intricate stucco decorations and geometric patterns that adorn its walls. The fusion of Islamic and Spanish elements in its design is a testament to the city’s cultural diversity.

Spiritual Haven: Granada’s Historic Mosques

Pay homage to Granada’s Islamic heritage by visiting the Grand Mosque of Granada. This spiritual sanctuary serves as a beacon for the city’s Muslim community, offering a place of worship and reflection. Learn about the mosque’s vital role in preserving Islamic traditions in Granada.

Islamic Heritage Walk: Tracing the Steps of History

Embark on a guided Islamic heritage walk through Granada’s historic sites. Listen to expert guides as they transport you back in time, sharing stories of the city’s Islamic past. Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative that unfolds through its architecture, streets, and landmarks.

Unveil the hidden treasures of Granada’s Islamic heritage through this captivating tour. From the awe-inspiring Alhambra to the charming streets of Albaicín, every corner of the city carries the echoes of its rich history. Embrace the fusion of cultures, art, and spirituality that define Granada, and immerse yourself in an unforgettable experience that celebrates its Islamic legacy.

Halal Culinary Delights: Exploring Islamic Gastronomy

Savor the rich flavors of halal cuisine that bear witness to Granada’s Islamic past. Sample traditional dishes influenced by the region’s history, such as aromatic tagines and delectable sweets. Delight in the melding of culinary traditions that have shaped Granada’s gastronomic landscape.

Museum of Alhambra

Museum of Alhambra, Travel Blog

Museum of Alhambra

Located in the interior of the Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Carlos V), the Museum of the Alhambra offers visitors a unique possibility to see art or architecture objects from the Monument, bound to the Culture that originated it, by means of the most modern museum techniques.

The Museum possesses the best collection of Nasrid Art in the world, with specimens coming from artefacts found archaeological excavations and restored in the Alhambra, making a visit to it an ideal complement to a tour of the artistic-historical monumental complex.

The Museum in Honour of Ángel Barrios is a collection that gathers musical equipment, instruments, drawings, paintings, watercolors, scores and correspondence dedicated by different authors to this important musician and composer born in Granada, who passed away in 1964, and to the figure of his father, Antonio Barrios “the Polinario”, one of last “cicerones” of the Alhambra of the early 20th century, in whose now disappeared tavern, located where today is the Museum, met intellectuals and artists of the time.

Schedule

15 OCTOBER – 31 MARCH

WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY 8:30 – 18:00 H
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAY 8:30 – 14:30 H
MONDAYS CLOSED

1 APRIL – 14 OCTOBER
WEDNESDAY TO SATURDAY
8:30 – 18:00 H
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAY
8:30 – 14:30 H
MONDAYS CLOSED

SATURDAYS IN THE MUSEUM
MAY TO SEPTEMBER
8:30 – 21:30 H

Medina & Gate of Wine

Medina

Medina & Gate of Wine

To some extent the function of this Gate today is similar to what it had been during the Nasrid period. It is the main entrance gate to the Medina of the Alhambra and serves to enclose the residential and artisan district within the walled fortress. Because it was an inner gate, it provided direct access to the fortress, as opposed to the outer gates, which required more protection and were built as L-shaped passageways. Inside, however, there was room enough for benches for the guards that controlled all access to the fortress.

Architecturally one of the oldest structures in the Nasrid Alhambra , it was built during the time of the Sultan Muhammad III (1302-1309), although the decoration of both façades pertains to different periods

The door on the east side, carved in sand stone, probably belongs to the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century, although the tombstone over the door lintel refers to Sultan Muhammad V, who ruled the fortress in the second half of the 14th century. This east façade was the outer side of the gate and, therefore, the traditional Islamic symbol of the key was engraved above the arch key.

The inner side, i.e. the west façade, even when it follows a similar structural pattern, was decorated during the second mandate of Sultan Muhammad V, more specifically after 1367, the date of the military campaigns of Jaen, Baeza and Ubeda. Remarkable are the beautifully decorated spandrels hanging from the arch, made up of dry-rope manufactured tiles, and the composition of the stucco walls that frame the upper floor’s window, and the rest of well-preserved polychromatic painting on the right side of the arch.

Palace of Yusuf III

Palace of Yusuf, Travel Blog

Palace of Yusuf III

The great and elongated pond stand out, testimony of the central courtyard whose lateral corridos, destroyed, fill the now leafy gardenss. Coming away from the lovely intricacy of the Partal Gardens, the narrow way that connects the two palaces of the Alhambra leads to a snug platform with a handrail extending along the foot of the wall that encloses the Palace of Yusuf III (1408-1417).

Outstanding is the long pool in the central courtyard with a lush garden, on the sides of which are the ruins of some rooms marking the sie of a large building, structurally resembling the Palace of Comares .

At the front of the courtyard are the remains of what once was the main room of the palace: a tower overlooking a portico in the open patio. The remains of the walls now form a terrace that, as was the case in medieval times, provides one of loveliest views to be had in the Alhambra.

Some of the excavated remains are attributed to the work of Yusuf III; however, it has been suggested that the building may have belonged to a previous sultan, Muhammad II (1273-1302), having been subsequently renovated and redecorated.

Discovered during an archaeological dig in the 1930s, it was identified as being the Palace of Mondéjar, or Tendilla. The palace was given to Mondéjar and subsequently housed the Alcaides, or the Alhambra keepers.

In 1718 the family, famous in political and cultural circles at the time, was stripped of its entitlements by Philip V, and the building was demolished, parts of its structure being sold off.

Generalife Palace

Generalife Palace, Travel Blog

Generalife Palace

The Generalife, built between s.XII and s.XIV, is the palace used by muslim kings as resting place.

The entrance to the Generalife is interesting for two reasons. On the one hand, its exterior part is rural, befitting a country house more than a palace; on the other hand, various courts had to be traversed at different levels in order to reach the interior of the Alhambra palace itself. The entrance is currently denominated the Court of the Dismount (Patio del Descabalgamiento) owing to the presence of footrests that facilitate horse riders in their dismount. Also on hand are two side buildings, which were probably used by stable hands.

Once entrance was gained, the visitor would have to climb a stairway past the security guard benches, toward a room above, with a control window. The second court, which underwent changes, is located at the top and surrounded by arched galleries, except for in the front, where access to the interior of the palace is gained.

Entrance to the palace itself is through a tiny door, today partially hidden by undergrowth and embedded in traces of marble, with a tiled lintel and the ever present arch-key marking. From there, a steep narrow stairway leads to a residence, connected to the Court of the Main Canal (Patio de la Acequia), called the North Pavilion (Pabellón Norte), which in turn leads to an arcaded gallery, with five arches and bedchambers, and on to the Royal Chamber (Sala Regia) and the observation point of Ismail I.

The Royal Chamber (Sala Regia) is noted for its plasterwork, niches and lovely stalactite capitals. The often repeated interior layout includes bedchambers framed by arches. Of particular note is the stalactite outset cornice supporting the ceiling.

The Generalife Palace Low Gardens

Beneath the Palace North Pavilion lies a small closed garden that dates back to the period of Arabic rule. In 1526 Andrea Navagero described its walls as being covered with ivy and having a fountain that shot water ten fathoms into the air.

To the west of the garden a staircase leads slightly above to a garden beneath the Palace West Gallery. The garden was designed in 1928 by Torres Balbás, after the building adjacent to the North Pavilion had been demolished. West of that, and slightly lower, covering the entire length of the Main Canal Gallery Court (Galería del Patio de la Acequia), lie the gardens that, though somewhat altered now, in the 19th century were depicted in an engraving by the French archaeologist and traveller Alexandre Laborde.

Alhambra palace urban structure

Palatial city, Travel Blog

Alhambra palace urban structure

The Nasrid Alhambra was a palatine city, designed and built for the service of the Court.

Its urban structure, inheriting the purest Andalusian and Islamic tradition, is perfectly organized in its development over the two and a half centuries of existence, with the logical transformations which imply an unstable sultanate and changing politics depending on pacts and vassalage.

A military complex for elite guard guaranteed the interior security of the Sultan, his family and the Government Institutions from the Alcazaba. The Alcazaba was like an independent military city, strategically located and cleverly connected with the rest of the Alhambra, where the guards lived with their families, with homes, a water cistern and baths, as in any quarter of a city.

There was a palatial area reserved for the life of the Sultan and his closest family. Here there were administrative offices, with a clearly formal layout, becoming more private and palatial depending on their departments. There were also spaces for Surah meetings and Councils of Viziers (ministers) and for public audiences. The Sultan called courtly parties coinciding with notable celebrations in the Muslim or State calendar.

In this palatine area, several palaces are set out, built in different periods, either through the adaptation and redecoration of their predecessor, or through the construction or addition of a new palace on its land. A street, with access to different areas of the palaces, would also serve to separate and isolate them from the rest of the Alhambra.
Serving this court was the Alhambra Medina, a whole city designed to cover any need of the Palace. Organized around a main street ascending slightly from west to east, the city had public baths, a mosque, shops, etc.
Next to the Mosque were the Rauda or Cemetery of the Sultans and a Madrasa.

In the lower are, behind the Puerta del Vino which served as the main entrance, there were houses, some very important, where civil servants and Court servants lived, small water cisterns and public spaces. Toward the middle of the street and along its sides are two large areas considered true palaces: the Hall of the Abencerrajes and what was formerly the Convent of San Francisco.

The upper area of the city was occupied by a range of small traditional industries: furnaces for glass and ceramic, a tannery for leather, waterwheels and even a mint for making currency.
The Acequia del Rey (or Sultan) entered the Alhambra through this area, through an aqueduct and a hatch, descending parallel to Calle Real, distributing water to the whole complex through countless channels. Small streets, alleys and small shelters made up the urban landscape of the cit.

The whole Alhambra was surrounded by a wall which made it unassailable in any attack, connecting it with the general wall of Granada. It had four main doors, two the the north – Armas and Arrabal – and two the the south – Justicia and Siete Suelos.

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