History of Granada

Granada’s history speaks through its many sites and buildings, a history rife with internal crises due to the existence of nobility who were constantly at war.

It began in 711 when Moorish soldiers crossed the straits from Africa under the command of Tarik ibn Ziyad. After defeating the spanish in several regions of Spain, thousands of Moors poured into Spain. Arab kings ruled Granada over several hundred centuries rising to the pinnacle in the 14th century. The Moorish reign brought with it a period of scientific, cultural and commercial prosperity. The Moors greatly improved the system of agriculture and irrigation some of which can be seen even today. They also introduced oranges, lemons, almonds, rice, sugarcane and paper into Spain. The religious tolerance practiced by the Moors saw Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities living in harmony. They built the Alcazaba fortress on the Alhambra hill in the ninth century and the Alhambra palaces in the 15th century. Granada enjoyed a prosperous independence partially due to its allegiance with Spanish King Ferdinand III.

In the end of the 15th century Spain's catholic monarchs from small remnant Christian kingdoms in northern Asturias planned a re conquest. In 1492 King Ferdinand of Aragon recaptured Granada. The muslims and jews were expelled from all of spain. Thus began the period of Spanish Renaissance with art and architecture thriving with the building of the palace for Carlos V and the Cathedral.

Today, Granada is a town of learning and the bustling capital of an agricultural province. It still has a large moorish population in the flourishing Albaicin quarter.

Back to the Top