Photos by place: Granada, in Andalusia, Spain

Granada is in Andalusia, Southern Spain, which was ruled by Muslims (or Moors) from 711AD until the 13th–15th centuries; Granada itself, protected by the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range, was ruled by the Moors until 1492, when Ferdinand and Isabella (the “Catholic monarchs”) conquered it. They launched the Inquisition the same year. Under the Moors, Andalusia had been famous for being the only place in Europe where Muslims, Christians and Jews lived in harmony. Andalusia under the Moors was the also the most cultured region in Europe, a catalyst for the Renaissance; the wonderful Arabic architecture in Granada still bears witness to this period, both in the Arab quarter of the city, and in the beautiful 13th century Alhambra Palace (now a World Heritage site). Granada is also famous for being the birthplace of Flamenco, a fusion of Moorish, Indian (Gypsy) and Jewish musical styles.

Visit to Granada 1995: Page  1   2   « Back to index