Situated at the foot of the southerly Sierra Nevada ski
resort, Granada is one of the most splendid cities of
eastern Andalucia.

On its southern side is 103 kms of fabulous Mediterranean
coastline, with the Costa del Sol and Costa Tropical in
close proximity whilst, in between, lies a fertile plain
producing exotic fruits.

Granada dates back to prehistoric times and was known as
Ilbyr. When the Romans colonized the southern part of
Iberia, they built their own city there, calling it
Illibris. The Arabs, invading the Peninsula in the
eighth century, gave the city its current name of Granada.

Being the last Muslim city of Spain to be reconquered by
the Christians, Granada has an unmistakable Arab flavor,
and Moorish and Christian elements go hand-in-hand.

One of the most brilliant jewels of Granada is the Alhambra,
a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari
Dynasty in the fourteenth century. This mighty compound
of buildings, including the summer palace called Generalife
with its beautiful fountains and gardens, stands at the foot
of the Sierra Nevada.

The hill facing the Alhambra is the old Moorish casbah or
medina called the Albaicín. One of the oldest districts,
it has been declared a World Heritage Site, along with the
Alhambra and Generalife.

The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the
Albaicín, is famous for its magnificent view of the Moorish
Palace.

Sacromonte Hill, which overlooks the city from the north,
is famous for its cave dwellings, once home to a large gypsy
community. Here, you can find some of the best flamenco
shows in Andalucia.

Perhaps the most important Christian monument of Granada is
the Cathedral. Built in 1523, Queen Isabel and King
Ferdinand are buried there in the Royal Chapel.

Among museums well-worth visiting are the Art Museum in the
Palacio de Carlos V at the Alhambra, the Alhambra Museum,
the Cathedral Museum, the Archaeological Museum and the
Science Museum.

If the children become a little bored with sightseeing,
they will just love the activities available in the nearby
Sierra Nevada ski resort or the beautiful beaches not too
far away. And so will you!

So ... come visit Granada and have the time of your lives!




About the Author
Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com
Top Tour of Spain
providing information on Spain for travel, food, language and
living.


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