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Museums in Granada

This city in Andalucía is famous for being the capital and centre of the Emirate of Granada Al-Andalus (Moorish), home of the province rulers for almost two hundred years and final bastion of the Muslim presence in the Iberian peninsula, until it was seized by the catholic Monarchs in 1492.When Boabdil, the last ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, lost his reign he is said to have cried upon looking one last time, over his shoulder, upon the city. According to local lore, his mother then scolded him, demanding that he 'not cry like a woman for what you could not defend as a man'

Granada

Even 500 years after the end of the Muslim occupation, Al-Andalus is deeply rooted in the culture of Andalucía and Granada. Not only is it present in the Mudéjar architecture, from which the world-famous Andalucían courtyards have sprung, but also in the rich, varied and healthy gastronomy that characterizes the region and that has greatly influenced the eating habits of people across the peninsula and much of Europe. And this does not even take into consideration what is possibly the most significant legacy of the Arab presence in Spanish culture: the development of flamenco.

When you visit Granada you will realise it has a lot to offer, including a spirited nightlife where the sounds of the flamenco guitar invades the nights and sets the tune to unforgettable experiences. Allow yourself to while away hour upon hour as you explore the nooks and crannies of a mystical place in a cultural extravaganza that does not require you to go to museums or read up about anything: just to enjoy and participate in a tradition that is well and alive, as you may find out with every tapa you eat, every drink you taste, every palo of flamenco you discover along the way.

And yet, while the enormous wealth of the popular culture in this place might leave you flabbergasted, the city also has a thriving cultural scene that transcends the threshold of the mundane. Evidently, the prevailing force over Granada's cultural scene is the Alhambra, which not only constitutes a gateway into the lifestyle of the people of Granada 600 years ago, but which also provides an unequivocal sample, as does the Emir's recreational villa, the Generalife, of the splendour and sophistication that prevailed in the Muslim courts of Al-Andalus.

But its historic context and enchanting lifestyle are not the only reasons to visit Granada. The city is covered in a halo of mystery and magnetism that makes it a truly special place. Part of this appeal comes from its enviable geographical position, caught in the middle of the most imposing mountains and the most staggering coastline. as a matter of fact, Granada is one of the few places in the whole continent where you could enjoy a ride down the ski slopes in the morning and a relaxing swim, or a drink by the roar of the shoreline in the afternoon.

Sierra Nevada

Because the Sierra Nevada mountains to the south count among the most attractive destinations in the country for mountain climbers and hikers, as well as skiing aficionados. With its 3,478 meter it is the highest peak in peninsular Spain and a monumental presence in the landscape of the region, largely overshadowed by the snowy mountain top of the range. But Granada is also just an hour away from the beach, so even during the most stifling summer it is possible to take a swim in the sea during the siesta hours!

The Granada Archeology Museum will complement your vision of the culture, as we are heirs of our past. You can also tour the Granada Museum of Fine Arts and see the artworks of the best masters of the region. If you're looking for a more modern take, visit the house museum of one of the finest Spanish poets of the 20th century, Federico García Lorca.

In short, whether you're on a quick visit to the southern end of the country, or you have come to learn Spanish and are therefore likely to spend a lot longer in the city, this is likely to be a life-changing experience that you will enjoy in full and not forget in many, many years to come. So don't miss out on the beauty and the splendour of one of the great treasures of Spain!