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alhambra

The Alhambra

This is where beauty, history, and different cultures meet. Dominated by the graceful power of the Alhambra Palace on a hill, walking the winding and narrow alleys of Granada itself feels like a trip through different time zones and civilizations. Start from the mighty cathedral through the souq-like market up the historical Albaicín neighborhood, listen to flamenco of street musicians and enjoy the magical view of the Alhambra and the Generalife in the sunset from Mirador de San Nicolas Square. Granada proper was founded when the Moorish Caliphate of Cordoba collapsed. In 1013 CE, the new city became the capital of an independent kingdom – but its heyday started in 1238 with the foundation of the Emirate of Granada. The Nasrid rulers expanded the existing fort into a magnificent complex of palaces and gardens today known as Alhambra.

Granada grew into one of the richest and most sophisticated cities of Europe. And the history of Granada is also one of intermittent tolerance, when Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived together peacefully for at least the first 200 years of Islamic Al-Andalus, before fundamentalist rulers took over. Exchange between philosophers from different faiths and backgrounds was at its height. But the Reconquista was looming. After the "Catholic Monarchs" Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon had united, they waged the final war against Granada. After ten years of fighting, they signed a treaty with the last Emir Boabdil offering generous tolerance to Jews and Muslims. But they had long since started the Spanish Inquisition, and the spirit of tolerance wasn't going to last for long. Nevertheless, in 1492 Boabdil surrendered the keys to the Alhambra. The Nasrid dynasty had fallen.
And you will fall as well: in love with this place.

Address

  • Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife
  • c/ Real de la Alhambra s/n
  • 18009 Granada

Links

Opening Hours

  • Apr 1st – Oct 14th Day Visit (Mon-Sun): 8:30-20:00
  • Ticket Office 8:00-20:00)
  • Evening Visit (Tue and Sat): 22:00-23:30
  • (Ticket Office 21:00-22:45)
  • Oct 15th – Mar 3st Day Visit (Mon-Sun): 8:30-18:00
  • (Ticket Office 8:00-18:00)
  • Evening Visit (Fri and Sat: 20:00-21:30
  • (Ticket Office 19:00-20:45)
  • Closed on Dec 25th and Jan 1st.