{"id":2122,"date":"2018-09-17T11:38:56","date_gmt":"2018-09-17T11:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/en\/blog\/?p=2122"},"modified":"2024-09-17T11:56:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:56:03","slug":"top-historical-locations-to-visit-in-granada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellehollis.com\/blog\/en\/top-historical-locations-to-visit-in-granada.htm","title":{"rendered":"Top historical locations to visit in Granada"},"content":{"rendered":"

Granada is without question one of the jewels of the Andaluc\u00eda, a must visit for families, couples, and friends thanks to its beautiful setting, fantastic climate, and an incredible bevvy of historical locations. If you\u2019re going to be picking up a car rental from Malaga<\/a> in the near future, making the enjoyable hour plus drive to Granada is a must, as a wonderful day of culture and sightseeing will be waiting for you. From ancient palaces to stunning cathedrals, there\u2019s so much to enjoy and marvel at. To help you plan ahead and decide just what you want to see upon arrival, we\u2019ve put together this guide to the top historical locations to visit in Granada. We hope it inspires your next holiday to this marvellous city.<\/p>\n

The Alhambra<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no better place to start our guide than with The Alhambra<\/a>: an ancient and incredibly well preserved Moorish palace. Standing atop its majestic hillside location, perfectly presented with the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background, the Alhambra was originally constructed all the way back in AD 889 on top of old Roman fortifications. In the mid-13th<\/sup> century, Alhambra was rebuilt by the Emirate of Granada and ultimately converted into a royal place by the sultan in 1333. Moorish rulers used Alhambra as a residence for 250 years. Today, visitors can explore the glorious architecture and the immaculate Moorish gardens which are filled with patios, fountains, and plant life. There\u2019s so much history to discover at The Alhambra, making this striking fortress an essential visit for anyone finding themselves in the city of Granada.<\/p>\n

One person in particular who has a strong fondness for the Alhambra is Silke Elzner from the travel blog Happiness and Things<\/a>. Silke has great memories of visiting the site and champions it as the highlight of her visit to the entire region: \u201cThe Alhambra is probably the most remarkable historic location to visit in Andalusia. It is the last bastion of the Muslim rulers and thus an important puzzle piece in the story of the Reconquista [re-conquest]. What I love about it is the fact that the Muslims rather handed over the keys of the Alhambra than see it destroyed in a lengthy siege by the Christian troops. This leaves us today with one of the best preserved historic sites in Spain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe beauty of the Arab-style buildings, in particular of the Nasrid palaces, is unmatched. The typical water features, the formal gardens, the elaborate plasterwork, the views of Granada, the interplay of colours, shapes and light, are among the most memorable impressions you will take home from your visit. Surely, the Alhambra must be the highlight of any trip to Andalusia. If you plan a visit to the Alhambra, make sure you book your tickets well in advance, in particular when you are travelling to Spain in summer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Katie, from the travel blog Wandertooth<\/a>, also has fond memories of visiting the Alhambra with her partner Geoff. Speaking to us about the attraction, Katie said: \u201cA visit to the Alhambra gives travellers the chance to see a piece of Spanish history that no longer exists. It’s fascinating to learn about the Moorish heritage of this part of the world, and the architecture and decoration is spectacular enough to hold your interest even if you don’t want to go too deep into the history. The views of Granada are also spectacular from here! Our biggest tip is to be prepared for the heat – this means hats, sunscreen, and clothing that gives you enough protection from the sun, as well as water. Expect to spend much of your time visiting the Alhambra outside and without shelter from the sun so make an effort to stay safe!\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information and details on tickets, make sure to visit our blog post<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Granada Cathedral<\/h2>\n

\"Granada<\/p>\n

One of Granada\u2019s most important historical locations and arguably its most breath-taking is Granada Cathedral<\/a>. This is the first Renaissance church built in Spain, with work having been completed back in 1561. The Roman Catholic cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Granada and was built by Queen Isabella after the conquest of the city. This masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture boasts beautiful facades and an interior to match. The inside of the cathedral is truly breath-taking, with particular attention being brought to its grand altar and chapels. The fourth largest Cathedral in the world, it was actually laid on the site of an ancient mosque. The switch up from the traditional Gothic style of the time to the Renaissance approach makes the cathedral truly unique. Visitors can explore its paradisiacal interiors (including heavenly paintings and sculptures) for themselves between 10am and 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday and between 3pm and 5.45pm on Sundays.<\/p>\n

Carmen, from Carmen\u2019s Luxury Travel<\/a>, is a blogger who has spent time visiting Granada\u2019s historical sites and came away singing the praises of Granada Cathedral. She shared her thoughts with us on why it\u2019s a must visit: \u201cThere are so many incredible cathedrals to explore in Spain, but Granada Cathedral really stands out. I found the design really beautiful but also unique with the combination of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Make sure you don\u2019t miss out on visiting the Old Chapter House. This is a small museum on the grounds of the Cathedral that houses very interesting art pieces which are closely connected to Granada Cathedral.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carmen also spoke to us about her praise for the previously described Alhambra, knowing full-well what an important location it is: \u201cObviously, you cannot visit Granada without seeing the Alhambra. I would give yourself a full day to enjoy all of it. I would also highly recommend visiting the Albaic\u00edn district with its charming, narrow streets and incredible views of the Alhambra – especially at night!\u201d<\/p>\n

Royal Chapel of Granada<\/h2>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

One of the most interesting historical locations in all of Granada is actually a part of Granada Cathedral itself, although having a separate entrance. The Royal Chapel of Granada<\/a> is of such intrigue and magnificence that giving it its own spot on this list is essential. The burial place of Catholic monarchs Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand, the chapel is located between the cathedral and old fish market, having been constructed by the monarchy between 1505 and 1517.  The burial monuments to the kings inside the chapel are exquisite in their own right, being made from marble by the Italian Domenico Fancelli and by Bartholomew Ordonez. The 16th<\/sup>-century stained-glass windows are exquisite, to say the least, and one of the true highlights to be mentioned is what is known as the Sacristy-Museum \u2013 a collection of artwork that includes such famed-works as Botticelli\u2019s \u2018Agony in the Garden\u2019.<\/p>\n

The Ba\u00f1uelo Arab baths<\/h2>\n

\"Banuelo<\/p>\n

Built in the 11th<\/sup> century, The Ba\u00f1uelo<\/a> is a National Monument and one of the oldest Arab public baths anywhere in Spain. The tradition of Arab Baths was brought over from the Moors\u2019 North Africa homeland to Andaluc\u00eda and the Ba\u00f1uelo that exists in Granada today is incredibly well preserved. This bath complex was one of very few that was lucky enough not to be destroyed during the re-conquest of Granada by the Catholic monarchs (the baths had a reputation of being somewhat like brothels), and, as a result, are one of the city\u2019s oldest surviving Moorish sites. The Ba\u00f1uelo was restored in 1918 and today visitors can access this thousand-year-old historical site via a small house, giving you a chance to see its cavernous brick vaults and impressive star-shaped skylights. There\u2019s little question that the Ba\u00f1uelo should be on your Granada to-do list.<\/p>\n

San Jeronimo Monastery<\/h2>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

We would be remised if we left out the San Jeronimo Monastery<\/a> as it truly has to be seen to be believed. This Roman Catholic monastery is known around the world for its jaw-dropping Renaissance-style architecture and has the unique designation of being the first church in the world consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. San Jeronimo Monastery was founded during the siege of Granada during the re-conquest with construction beginning in 1504. The monastery is of the Augustinian Hieronymite order and its sacristy is one of the best examples one could ever hope to see of Spanish Baroque. The room and its ornamentation are truly dazzling and its richly decorated interiors standout in a city known for exquisite Catholic architecture. The monastery features two cloisters, the second of which was the residence of a Portuguese Empress after her marriage to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Visiting hours are available five days a week with guided tours are also on offer.<\/p>\n

The historical locations and attractions of Granada<\/h4>\n

There\u2019s no room for doubt regarding Granada\u2019s credentials as one of Spain\u2019s very best cities for historical locations. Granada is replete with fascinating sites to visit, monuments and buildings that will truly take the breath away. Is there a city in Andaluc\u00eda with more impressive architecture? Granada is certainly hard to match in this regard and we hope that you have been inspired for your upcoming trip to the area. If you want to quickly note down the locations discussed, here is a simple list:<\/p>\n