Granada is a city known as Gırnata in Turkish. The city is built in a valley at the foot of Sierra Nevada, which is counted among Europe’s highest mountains with a population of approximately 300,000.. The highest peak in the Sierra Nevada is Mulhacen Peak at 3,481 meters. The average altitude of the city from the sea is 650 meters.. The Darro River that runs through the middle of the city – a very bad color river – joins the Genil River. The city was built around the Darro River between the Albaicin and the Alhambra Hills.
Granada is located in a fertile plain by the river, between two mountains. Since it was settled, it has hosted many societies over the years.. But it lived its heyday in the 13th-15th centuries when it was under the rule of Muslims.
Granada’s first settlement area is the Albaicin district, which is built on a hill.. Influenced by the fertility of the plain here, first the Iberians, then the Romans and later the Muslim Arabs (Magribis) settled here.
The hill, called Albaicin, was surrounded by walls during the Muslims period. 13. When the Nasiririans declared their independence after the 19th century, the center of the city was moved from this hill to the Alhambra hill.. However, they repaired the walls in the Albaicin region, where the people still live, and even reinforced them with the second row of walls.. The entrance to the Alhambra Hill was built inside the Albaicin district, increasing security.
After Granada was occupied by Christians, the Christians preferred to settle in the plain in the middle of the city and forced the Muslims to live on the Albaicin and Alhambra hills.. For this reason, since there was no serious conflict here, the buildings on these hills could be preserved in their old state.
The word Albaicin is of Arabic origin and means Al Baizin, that is, the place of hawk hunters.. However, when the settlement moved around the Alhambra Palace, the locals started to call it Al Kasaba al Kadim, which means old town.
Albaicin
Albaicin district. 3 colors stand out; white, green and brick color. The courtyards of these two or three storey houses are definitely worth seeing.. They have little courtyards full of flowers. It is very enjoyable to wander and get lost in the side streets of this district.. Especially in Callejon del Agua, the small channels made for the water to flow through the middle of the stone road are worth seeing.. All roads are slopes. Arab houses with courtyards on Calle de Pardo, Calle de Fatima, Calle de La Mina are definitely worth seeing.. It is possible to come across small souvenir shops and grocers from time to time, although not many in these alleys.
A market is set up every Saturday in Puerta de La Pesas Square.. There are 2-3 coffeehouse-style venues in this square.. Since cheating and deception is a sin, the name of the cheating seller is written on the scale above La Pesas door and the scale is hung.
We pass through the door and head down.. We see the Convent of Santa Isabel Real and the Lady’s Palace behind it.. The lady’s palace is now used as a museum of fine arts.
When we arrived in the city, we first had to photograph the Alhambra Palace and the city of Granada in the Albaicin district. We stopped at 2 points called >Mirador de San Nicolás and Mirador de San Cristóbal. The Mirador San Cristobal De Sierra Nevada Mountains at the top look spectacular. Don’t forget to take photos here.. To the north of the Mirador de San Nicolás Church is the mosque La Mezquita de Granada, which was built by the Muslims living in Granada and opened for worship in July 2003.
This mosque was built later, because When the Christians took over the region, they either destroyed the mosques and mosques or turned them into churches.. For this reason, there are almost 20 churches in this area alone.
Alhambra Palace
After visiting this area, we go straight to Alhambra Palace. In order to enter the Alhambra Palace, you either have to make a reservation and buy your tickets in advance, or you have to wait in front of the ticket office at first light in the morning. If you do not have a ticket, it is possible that you will not be able to enter the Palace even if you wait for hours.. Therefore, make a reservation.
As impressive as the palace looks from the outside, its interior is much more impressive.. At the time we went, restoration work was going on in some parts of it.. The Alhambra palace was built when the Nasri Sultanate ruled Granada. Many different materials such as plaster, timber and ceramics were applied in perfect harmony inside the palace.. The engravings in the palace are very impressive.. In the construction of this palace, a great handicraft and craftsmanship was used.. In many places, “La galibe illallah“, that is, “There is no victor but Allah“, is written in Arabic in many places.
The Palace The other memorable aspect is the large summer garden called Generallife, decorated with stunning flowers, plants and fountains.. These gardens were once the resting place of sultans, their families and state officials.. These gardens are very close to the Alhambra Palace, but not inside the palace. In fact, these gardens now host music and dance festivals held every year.. The cavities on the handrails of the stairs we go up and down while walking in the garden attract my attention.. The water flowing from the cavities in these handrails was used to irrigate the gardens by going down to the pools in the lower gardens.
Accommodation in Granada
To make a hotel recommendation in Granada, Granada AC Palacio de Santa Paula Hotel can be a suitable choice, located on a main street in the historical center of .. Besides, 18. Located in a 16th century building and next to Plaza Nueva Square, Anacapri is among the ideal hotels in terms of both price and location.
A budget hotel in Granada very easy to find. Carmen Hotel, which is one of them, is a 4-star quality hotel in addition to being affordable.. With a view of the Alhambra Palace, the hotel is also a short walk from the Granada Cathedral and the city’s famous shopping street.. Apart from these suggestions about Granada hotels, if you want to take a look at more hotel options; You can go to booking.com here.
Gitanos Mahallesi
Gypsies are also one of the ancients of this region, although not as much as the Jews.. However, the gypsies ate on Sacromonte Hill located northeast of Albaicin.. They called it Gitanos Mahallesi, which means gypsy.. It is still called by this name.. The gypsies who lived in houses hewn from the rock at that time now live in small houses painted in white.. Today, flamenco dance shows are held in these old houses and attract a lot of attention from tourists.. We also attended such a show with 3 friends wearing our Flamenco costumes that we bought as souvenirs from Granada.. The dancers also took the three of us on stage as a gesture.. We had a lot of fun, but our stage performance was not even below zero.
Places to See in the Center
Elvira is one of the busiest streets in the center of Granada the other is Gran Via Street. At the top of the must see places in Granada is the historic cathedral with its pointed tower. This building, which used to be Gırnata Grand Mosque, was demolished by the order of Queen Isabella after the city was captured.. Then the Royal Church (Capilla Real) was built on this land, and then the big city cathedral (Capilla Mayor) was built.. Inside this structure are the tombs of King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella, his daughter Juana and her husband, and some royal belongings.
The small buildings next to the cathedral are the shops of the bazaar from the time of the Andalusian Muslims.. This bazaar also has a private entrance gate.. This bazaar is somewhat reminiscent of the bazaars in Egypt and Tunisia with its narrow streets. This bazaar is from the Romans period.. This bazaar, which was established for the purpose of trading,. It was damaged in the great fire in the 19th century and some changes were made during its restoration.
Another important artifact from the Andalusian period is the Corral del Carbón in the center of Granada. It is the only caravanserai that has survived to the present day without being destroyed in all of Spain called strong>.. 16. and 17. century, this place has been a center for theatrical performances for a while.. Flamenco shows are held on summer nights in the courtyard of the building, which is currently used as a tourist office.
Queen Isabella has a great role in the history of Spain.. In the middle of the 15th century, she married Prince Ferdinand of Aragon, not only with the person her father had chosen for her, but also by persuading the priest.. With this marriage, the Principles of Castile and Aragon are united.. The Spanish Union, which became stronger with the participation of other princes in this structure, brought the end of the Arabs in Andalusia.. Isabel’s nickname is “Dirty Isabel”. The reason is that after Granada was besieged, he said that he would not wash until Granada surrendered.
Student Population is Dense
Student population in Granada is also quite high.. In addition, there are many language course options for people who come here to learn Spanish from abroad.. As this is the case, Granada’s nightlife is also very active.
The owner of a bar we entered here by chance turned out to be Turkish.. They came and settled here years ago.. Two brothers run a bar here. Granada is one of the cities worth seeing with its history, architecture and friendly people.. You can visit this city just for the Alhambra Palace.
