Granada

Granada is located along the right (north) bank of the Genil,¹ where the Darro flows joins it, in the middle of the Andalucian² Mountains, in its eponymous province in the Andalucía³ Autonomous Community of España (Spain). In 2014 it had a population of 238 thousand⁴ and a 2008 metropolitan population of 425 thousand.⁵ It became important as غرناطة (Ġarnāṭah) in the 11th century, especially after becoming a tributary principality of the Corona de Castilla⁶ in 1238. Its autonomy ended before 1500 as did its diversity, with Moslems and Jews exiled, slaughtered or forcibly converted by the Christians. UNESCO honors two buildings and a neighborhood as a World Heritage Site: the 14th century Alhambra palace and fortress (also popular with tourists⁷); the residential gardens of the 13th and 14th century Generalife; and the Albayzin quarter with elements from before and after the Christian conquest. The Alhambra sits on a hilltop with a view of the Sierra Nevada (Snowy Range) and is organized around two patios: that of los Arraynes and that of los Leones, and the exterior landscaping includes still and moving water. The building includes marble columns, stalactite cupolas, stucco work, ceramic tiles, precious woods and paintings on leather. The Generalife gardens feature water and flowering trees and bushes.⁸ The city's tallest modern buildings are a residential tower that includes a hotel (Edificio A, 154 feet, 16 stories, 1969) and an observation tower (164 feet, 2000).⁹

External references

Alhambra fortress and mountain view, Granada, Granada Province, Andalucía (Andalusia) Autonomous Community of España (Spain)

Historical maps

Footnotes