Moorish Architecture And Flamenco In Granada, Spain - Sightseeing In Andalucia's Secret Capital

Visit Granada and follow in the tracks of its ancientFlamenco lovers should take a walk through the
Muslim sultans and kings. Discover true masterpiecesclose-by district of Sacromonte, the traditional Gipsy
of Moorish Medieval architecture which reflect the("Gitano") quarter of Granada located on the hill of
century-long influence of Arab architecture inAlbaicín. Sacramonte is the major center of
Andalusian construction style and which highlight theflamenco and Gitano culture and became famous for
great skill and proficiency of Islamic craftmanhip.its Gipsy inhabitants who dug their cave houses
Enjoy a trip to the Alhambra, a Moorish mosque,("zambras") into the hillside and formed a large
palace and fortress complex located at the foothillscommunity as cave-dwellers. With the revival of
of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, one of the mostflamenco culture in recent years, Sacromonte today
famous and spectacular pieces of Islamic architecture.has become a tourist attraction which gives the
Discover the incredible intricacy and ingenuity ofvisitor an insight into Gitano and flamenco culture.
Moorish art. Wander through the elaborate arches,Nowadays the former cave houses serve as venues
graceful colums and the exquisitely ornamentedfor very impressive live flamenco dance and music
arcades in the Gardens of the Generalife ("Palacio deshows. Immerse yourself into the rich tradition of
Generalife") and the Court of the Lions ("Patio de losGipsy folklore and visit a zambra dance show
Leones"). Explore the Arabic inscriptions on the walls,performed in one of the flamenco caves in Camino
the ceilings decorated with elegant arabesques anddel Sacromonte, the main street of Sacromonte. The
beautiful mosaics and the colorful painted tileszambra ("zambra mora", "zambra gitana") is an
("Azulejos") panelling the walls in the Nasrid Palacesancient flamenco dance which is believed do have
("Palacio Árabe", "Palacio Nazaries" or "Casadeveloped from strong Moorish influences. It is
Real"). In 1984, the Alhambra was declared aperformed by the Roma people in Sacromonte during
UNESCO World Heritage site. The Alhambra is openGipsy weddings. A visit to Granada would not be
to the public, but only for a limited number of visitorscomplete without enjoying such a live authentic
per day. If you plan a visit you should definitelyflamenco dancing peformance.
reserve tickets in advance. Tickets can be boughtGranada awaits the tourist with many more
over the internet, or from any branch of the Banconoteworthy examples of Medieval Christian and Arab
Bilbao Vizcaya.architecture. The cathedral of Granada ("La Catedral
Stroll through narrow winding streets of the nearbyde Granada", "Catedral de la Anunciación") at
district of the Albaicín, the ancient Jewish andPlaza Pasiega was built in the 16th and 17th century
Arab quarter of Granada. Some original Moorish andas a symbolic monument of the Christian conquest of
Morisco constructions have remained in thethe Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. It impresses the
Albaicín. When you walk through the twistedvisitor with its extravagant Spanish Renaissance,
alleys such as Calle Calderería and pass by spiceGothic and Baroque style. The San José Church
merchants shops the irresistible and exhilarating smell("La Cuesta de San José") in the quarter of the
of exotic Arab spices such as cumin, cardamom,Albaicín was built on the site of the
coriander, cinnamon, anis, pepper, sesame, ginger, chilliAlmorabitín, an ancient Morabite mosque dating
and saffron makes you feel set back in time to thefrom the 10th century. The 16th century church
era of ancient Arab bazars and you can almost feelfascinates the traveller with its original minaret ("El
the Medieval Moorish history come alife once more.Alminar de San José").