Albaicín – Spain Travels 2018

Spain Travels – A Land of History and Great Food!

Albaicín in Granada

Barcelona || Zaragoza ||  Daroca and Albarracin || Valencia || Cartegena || Almeria || Granada || Alhambra || Segovia and Madrid

We drove to Granada and parked our car in a parkade for three days, walked to our hotel and then continued walking around the city. We stayed at the Hotel Los Tilos which was in a great location, had a good breakfast, and is family owned and operated.

Granada is located north of the Sierra Nevada mountains at 738m and at the confluence of four rivers. This area has been inhabited since 5500BC, but was truly established by the Moors in 711AD. In the 11th Century is was controlled by the Moors as the Taifa of Granada, but it had a large dominant Jewish population. The Sephardic Jews ( Jews of the Iberian Peninsula) were the ‘Kings in all but name’. During the Moorish rule many religions and cultures co-existed.

In 1492 the Muslims were ‘defeated’ during the Reconquista and the Emir Muhammad XII of Granada surrendered Granada to the Catholic Monarchs. This marked the end of an 800 year long rule of Spain by the Moors. At first the Muslims and Jews were allowed to keep their faith and continue their existence until the Christians realized they weren’t converting to Christianity for some reason… So they were told to leave. The Muslims who stayed and converted were called Mosicos, or Catholics of Moorish descent.

Albaicín is a World Heritage Site since 1984. The area has been inhabited by the Iberians, Romans and finally the Moors until they were ousted after the Reconquista. It is a town with characteristic moorish narrow streets snaking its way along the hills with amazing views of the surrounding countryside. There is a huge Moroccan influence in Granada. Great place for great diverse food.