Granada
This is the most visited city in Spain by tourists from all over the world. It is situated 685m above sea level in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the highest mountain range in Spain. It is 129km (80 miles) from
Malaga and easily accessible from the Costa del Sol. The resident population is nearly a quarter of a million and home of Spain's 3rd largest university.
Granada city, within Andalucia, is 127km from Malaga and 254km from Gibraltar.
One of the best walks around the city, taking in many buildings, begins at the Town Hall in Plaza del Carmen and meanders along Reyes Catolicos, past the Cathedral and on to the Alhambra, finishing at the Abbey of Sacremonte.
The town hall stands on the site of the former Carmelite Convent. On the route, take in El Banuelo which are the 11th century baths, Casa de los Pisa, now a museum, the Convent of Santa Catalina and the Church of San Pedro and San Pablo at which point you will see the Alhambra on your right, over the Rio Darro.
Historical Note :
It is an impossible task to summarise the history of such an important enclave in the history of Spain. The basic landmarks are only described briefly:
Paleolithic and Neolithic settlements proved by the numerous sites found in the outskirts of the city.
Iliberis was the Iberian name given to the settlement located nearby the present city, and the Castilian version for it Elvira, comprised a notorious emporium in Pre-Islamic Visigoth times (the Council of Elvira took place in 306 AD).
It was of special importance in the Arab period. The present location of the city housed the ancient Garnatha Alyejud, of Jewish origin. The period of greater splendour started under the Nasrid dynasty, founded by Yusuf ibn Nasr in 1238, and spread until the kingdom of Granada was taken by the Catholic Monarchs.
Accommodation :
Hotel Alhambra Palace **** 2 Calle Pena Partida tel: 958 221 468
situated in the Alhambra, inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1910
Parador Nacional de San Francisco **** Real de la Alhambra tel: 958 221 440. Situated in a former monastery in the Alhambra.
PROVINCE : Granada
ALTITUDE ABOVE SEA LEVEL (m) : 685
AREA (km2) : 88
Nº OF INHABITANTS : 241.471
NAME FOR PEOPLE : Granadinos
POSTCODE : 18071
PHONE NUMBER FOR INFORMATION : Tourist Office: +34 958 22 66 8
