GRANADA
Andalusian Monuments
While most people come to Granada to see the crowning jewel, the Alhambra, there is still much to see elsewhere in the city. While most mosques and other Arab buildings were demolished after the Reconquista ended, a few buildings survived. If you do have the free time to really take in the city, there are several stunning monuments worth the hike.
Andalusia
Andalusia is the southern most region in Spain. On the west it shares the border with Portugal and boasts over 600 miles of coastline, touching both the Mediterranean and Atlantic Seas. It has a diverse terrain of beaches mixed with snow capped mountains known as the Sierra Nevadas. This region is also famous for its number of well preserved Moorish temples and building, which cannot be found any place else in the world.
El Banuelo
Carrera del Darro, 31
These are some of the most well preserved Arabic baths, dating back to the 12th century. Found at the base of the mountain, they are believed to be built at the same time as the old Alcazaba.
Corral Del Carbon
Calle Puente del Carbon, 2
The Corral is the only known preserved commercial warehouse from the Nasrid Dynasty, dating back to the 14th century. It served as a commercial trading center for grain as well as a lodging for those merchants selling it.
Casa Morisca De Horno De Oro
Calle del Horno del Oro, 14
Once a one story home, also dating back to the Nasrid Dynasty, this building had a second floor added sometime in the 16th century. After the Moors were defeated, the house became a corral until finally being preserved in the 20th century.
Callejon de las Monjas
A 15th century Nasrid palace and once the official residence of Aixa la-Horra, the mother of the last ruling sultan Muhammad XII, this building became part of the Monastery of Santa Isabel las Real in the 16th century and remains so today.
Palacio Dar Al-Horra
Portería de la Concepción, 8
A 14th century Nasrid home that was gifted to Don Hernando de Zafra after the fall of the Moors. Following his death the home was used by the Santa Catalina de Siena convent and remained so until the 20th century.
Casa De Zafra
Granada Cathedral
Calle Gran Vía de Colón, 5
While obviously not a shining example of my beloved Moorish architecture. this cathedral does get an honorable mention. Built on top of the city’s Great Mosque, it was a beacon to the people that after 600 years of Muslim rule, the Christian Monarchs were here to stay.
For more information, check out the official website here.
La Madraza
Just across from the cathedral is La Madraza. Established as a Muslin University under Yusuf I, it was turned into a town hall in the 16th century. While much of the building has been altered and added onto, a small octagonal room with original arch still remain in the original style.