Roman legacy in Granada
© Eugene Khoo
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Granada has a long history and it's rise to prominence started after the fall
of the Caliphate in Cordova (modern day Cordoba). Since the time of the Visigoths,
Jews have been living in the area of modern day Granada and it is the Jews who
contributed greatly to the rise of this City. The site of the Alhambra on Sabika
hill has always been a strategic location for a Fortress. When the moors arrived, they also built their Fortress on this hill, on top of ruins.
The Moors arrived in the 8th century and culminated in the golden age of the
Nasrid dynasty. During this time, the city reached new heights of culture, artistry
and science. When the catholic monarchs arrived, the city too blossomed with
renaissance splendor.
Today, there's again a renewed interest in Granada.
The city is lively with plenty of things to see and do throughout the day
and through the night.
The northern part of the city, opposite the Alhambra, is the Albaicin.
This district, perched on the hillside is probably as close to the Moorish
ancestry of the city as possible. As recent as the 13th century, a Moorish
fortress sat on this location and there were as many as thirty-odd mosques.
After the Christian reconquest, churches were rebuilt over the former sites.
Nevertheless, the cobbled lanes and narrow roads, houses with Moorish
decoration and gardens, it maintains it's historical air. A stroll here
at sunset is magical especially when you can see the Alhambra. Further
along this way, you would come across gypsy homes carved into the rock.
These are interesting to visit and you can often hear the guitars and
music of flamenco wafting out from the homes hewn into the rock.
Originally, the inhabitants of the caves were nomadic tribes and peoples. It is said that they were of hindu origin.
It is here that Flamenco was born. Out of the gypsy traditions and folklore combined with arabic influences throughout the years,
this art was formed. It is here in the Sacromonte, under the watchful gaze of the Alhambra can you experience the flamenco performances
in the original setting. We did not have enough time to book some tickets to watch a show but it comes highly recommended.
The Alhambra as seen from Albaicin
Plaza Bib-Rambla is a good place to hangout
and get dinner © Jeffrey Chok
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The Alhambra as we see it today, is a legacy deserving of it's World
Heritage status. It also wasn't built in one go. From it's fortress
beginnings and through the sieges and battles, it has evolved and new
fortifications thrown up in areas where there was none, defensive trenches
dug, and rerouted, buildings and royal residences changed due to the fluid
politics of the Royal court often led to Sultans being assassinated, dethroned
and even reinstated
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Granada - History and legacy
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