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 proficiencyof 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 foothills ofcommunity as cave-dwellers. With the revival of
the Sierra Nevada Mountains, one of the most famousflamenco culture in recent years, Sacromonte today
and spectacular pieces of Islamic architecture.has become a tourist attraction which gives the visitor
Discover the incredible intricacy and ingenuity ofan insight into Gitano and flamenco culture. Nowadays
Moorish art. Wander through the elaborate arches,the former cave houses serve as venues for very
graceful colums and the exquisitely ornamentedimpressive live flamenco dance and music shows.
arcades in the Gardens of the Generalife ("Palacio deImmerse yourself into the rich tradition of Gipsy folklore
Generalife") and the Court of the Lions ("Patio de losand visit a zambra dance show performed in one of
Leones"). Explore the Arabic inscriptions on the walls,the flamenco caves in Camino del Sacromonte, the
the ceilings decorated with elegant arabesques andmain street of Sacromonte. The zambra ("zambra
beautiful mosaics and the colorful painted tilesmora", "zambra gitana") is an ancient flamenco dance
("Azulejos") panelling the walls in the Nasrid Palaceswhich is believed do have developed from strong
("Palacio Árabe", "Palacio Nazaries" or "CasaMoorish influences. It is performed by the Roma people
Real"). In 1984, the Alhambra was declared a UNESCOin Sacromonte during Gipsy weddings. A visit to
World Heritage site. The Alhambra is open to theGranada would not be complete without enjoying such
public, but only for a limited number of visitors per day.a live authentic flamenco dancing peformance.
If you plan a visit you should definitely reserve tickets inGranada awaits the tourist with many more
advance. Tickets can be bought over the internet, ornoteworthy examples of Medieval Christian and Arab
from any branch of the Banco 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 as
Arab quarter of Granada. Some original Moorish anda symbolic monument of the Christian conquest of the
Morisco constructions have remained in theNasrid Kingdom of Granada. It impresses the visitor
Albaicín. When you walk through the twistedwith its extravagant Spanish Renaissance, Gothic and
alleys such as Calle Calderería and pass byBaroque style. The San José Church ("La
spice merchants shops the irresistible and exhilaratingCuesta de San José") in the quarter of the
smell 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").