An Introduction to Granada’s Stunning Moorish Architecture

The most famous and impressive architectural relic from this period of its history is Granada’s formidable Alhambra palace, which sits at the top of the verdant Darro valley and looks out over Albaicín, the old Arabic quarter of the city.

The Alhambra’s main attractions are the Nasrid palaces, which feature some of the most beautiful Moorish interiors you are ever likely to see – largely unchanged after almost a thousand years – the Generalife (or summer palace) and, in the middle of it all, the palace built by Charles V in the 15th century to assert the new dominion of Catholicism over Islam.

The Alhambra’s position at the top of the steep Darro valley meant it was a superb location from which to defend the city against Christian invaders. For this reason, Granada was the last great Moorish city in Andalucia to be seized in 1492 by dual Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.

It wasn’t just because of the presence of the mighty Alhambra that Granada was so difficult to capture from its Moorish rulers. The original city wall, large sections of which are still intact today, also provided a robust defence against rampaging Christian armies. The countryside above the Gypsy quarter of Sacromonte is the best spot for a view of the largest remaining part, which runs down the hillside dividing Albaicín (the old Moorish quarter originally at the city’s outer limit) and Sacromonte. Some of what used to be Albaicín’s principal entrances also survive and are particularly interesting examples of Moorish architecture: the most notable of these are The Arco Elvira, at the end of the shabbily-charming Calle Elvira, and the archway that leads into the lively Plaza Larga in Albaicín.

Nowhere else in Granada is there such a rich collection of beautiful Moorish residential architecture than in Albaicín, the old Arabic quarter on the other side of the valley from the Alhambra.

One of the most attractive buildings in Albaicín can be found near Plaza Larga (itself home to some exquisite Arabic mosaics on building exteriors), on Calle Panaderos. Its entrance is particularly striking, as can be seen below.