Granada

Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the community of Andalusia, Spain. It is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of two rivers, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level. At the 2003 census, the population of the city of Granada proper was 237,663, and the population of the entire urban area was estimated to be 450,439, ranking as the 13th-largest urban area of the Spanish Kingdom. About 3.3% of the population did not hold Spanish citizenship, the largest number of these (31%) coming from South America.

Architecture

There are many important Moorish and Catholic architectural sites in Granada:

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• Granada's cathedral
• The Alhambra and Generalife
• El Albaicín (Albayzin): The ancient Jewish quarter, containing many original houses from the 16th century
• Calle Calderería: An Albayzin street where you can taste Arab typical food, especially teas and desserts from North Africa
• El Cármen de los mártires: A lovely palace with a beautiful botanic garden near the Alhambra
• Santa Ana Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style
• El Corral del carbón: Deposit of merchandise and shelter of merchants. Adapted after 16th century for theater plays.
• Hospital Real: Funded in 1504 by the Reyes Católicos, now part of the University.
• Santo Domingo Church: Funded in 1512 by the Reyes Católicos.
• San José Church: On the site of the "moans" Almorabitín, the mosque of the morabites, one of oldest in Granada, dating from the 10th century.
• Sacromonte Abbey: Founded in the 17th century. Legend says that the catacombs under the church were the site of the martyrdom of San Cecilio, the city's first bishop and now its patron saint.
• Old University: Now the School of Law, it retains its original 17th century facade.
• Bermejas Towers: Strongpoints on the encircling wall of the Alhambra, they date from the 8th and 9th centuries.
• Basilica San Juan de Dios: Basilica where the rest of this saint rest. Sample of Granada's baroque.
• The Gate of Elvira: The principal Gate to the old city Part of the moorish wall.