Granada history

The history of Granada spans more than two and a half millennia. The first settlements in this territory were founded by Iberian tribes as early as the 5th century BC, and the city itself was known as Iliberra. Its strategic location at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains at the confluence of the Genil and Darro rivers made this place attractive to many peoples.

Key Stages of Development

• Roman and Visigothic periods: After the Roman conquest, the city, named Iliberis, became an important provincial centre. With the fall of the Roman Empire, it passed under Visigothic rule.
• Moorish rule: In 711, the city was conquered by the Moors. Granada reached its peak prosperity, becoming the capital of the Emirate of Granada under the Nasrid dynasty in 1238. This period became a golden age for the city: science, trade, crafts, and art flourished.
• Completion of the Reconquista: On January 2, 1492, Granada, the last stronghold of Muslims on the Iberian Peninsula, surrendered to the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, marking the end of centuries of Arab rule.

Cultural and Economic Heritage

The early history of Granada is a story of cultural fusion. The Moorish heritage left the deepest mark, which is especially noticeable in architecture, for example, in the famous Alhambra palace complex. During the Emirate era, the city was renowned for silk production, advanced agriculture based on complex irrigation systems, and as a major scientific centre. This unique blend of Moorish and Christian influence defines the unique look and atmosphere of Granada today.

Chronology of Granada's History

The history of Granada is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures that have left their mark on the city's architecture and traditions. From ancient Iberian settlements to the brilliant capital of the Emirate and an important centre of Christian Spain — here are the key milestones of this journey.

• 5th century BC — Iberian tribes found a settlement known as Iliberra on the site of modern Granada.
• 711 — The city is conquered by the Moors and receives the name Ilbira, while the neighbouring Jewish settlement is named Garnat-al-Yahud.
• 1013 — After the collapse of the Caliphate of Córdoba, Zawi ibn Ziri establishes an independent emirate (taifa) centred in Granada.
• 1238 — Muhammad I ibn Nasr founds the Nasrid dynasty and makes Granada the capital of the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state on the Iberian Peninsula.
• 14th century — The period of Granada's greatest prosperity under the Nasrids; active construction of the Alhambra palace complex takes place during this time.
• January 2, 1492 — The Catholic Monarchs Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon conquer the city, marking the end of the Reconquista.
• 1499 — Forced Christianisation of the Muslim population begins, leading to numerous uprisings.
• 1531 — Emperor Charles V founds the University of Granada, which eventually becomes one of the most prestigious in Spain.
• 1568–1571 — The Rebellion of the Alpujarras by Moriscos (converted Muslims) takes place and is brutally suppressed by the authorities.
• 1810–1812 — During the Peninsular War, the city is occupied by Napoleon's troops.
• 1936–1939 — During the Spanish Civil War, Granada falls under Nationalist control from the very beginning.
• 1984 — The Alhambra architectural ensemble and the Albaicín district are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Milestones of Development and Transformation in Granada

The evolution of Granada is a story of radical transformations, where each era changed not only the architectural appearance but also the economic structure of the city. From an impregnable fortress to a modern scientific centre, the city has passed through several key stages of development.

• Birth of the Capital (1013). After the fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba, the Zirid dynasty moved the administrative centre from Elvira to Granada. This decision launched massive urbanisation: fortress walls rose on the Albaicín hill, water supply systems were laid, and the city gained the status of an independent capital for the first time.
• Golden Age of Silk and Trade (13th–15th centuries). Under the Nasrids, the city became an economic giant of the Mediterranean. The construction of the Alcaicería market cemented its status as a centre for silk production and trade. During this period, the Alhambra was erected — a unique palace-city demonstrating the pinnacle of engineering and artistic thought of that time.
• Christian Redevelopment (16th century). After 1492, the Catholic monarchs began changing the city's structure to European standards. Mosques were rebuilt into churches, narrow Arab streets were widened, and spacious squares like Bib-Rambla were created, symbolizing the city's integration into the cultural space of Spain.
• Establishment of a University Centre (1531). The founding of the University of Granada by Emperor Charles V was a turning point in cultural life. This event defined the city's demographics and atmosphere for centuries to come, making education one of the key pillars of its "economy".
• Sugar Industrialisation (late 19th century). A boom in sugar beet cultivation began in the Vega de Granada valley, leading to the construction of processing plants and a railway. This was a period of active modernisation and the appearance of bourgeois avenues, such as Gran Vía, cut through the old developments.
• Tourism Renaissance (19th–20th centuries). The interest of Romantic writers in the Oriental heritage turned the city into a mandatory stop for European travellers. Scientific restoration of monuments began, and tourism became a crucial economic driver.
• Technological Breakthrough (21st century). The opening of the Health Sciences Technology Park (PTS) and the launch of the metro marked the transition to a modern development model. Today, the city relies on biotechnology and innovation, combining historical heritage with advanced science.

Architectural Appearance: A Crossroads of Civilisations

The architecture of Granada is a unique palimpsest, where patterns of Moorish palaces emerge through the strict lines of Catholic temples. The urban development of the city can be read like a book, where each chapter corresponds to a change in power and religion, turning the city into an open-air museum in southern Spain.

Eras and Styles: A Chronology in Stone

The city's appearance was formed during the confrontation and subsequent synthesis of two great cultures — Islamic and Christian. Each historical milestone brought its own dominant style, forever changing the panorama of the city.

• Hispano-Moorish Style (13th–15th centuries). The Nasrid dynasty gave the world masterpieces that became the city's calling card. This period is characterized by introverted architecture: buildings inconspicuous from the outside hide luxurious patios with fountains and gardens inside.
  Iconic sites: The Alhambra palace complex and Generalife gardens, the Albaicín district with its labyrinth of narrow streets and traditional "cármenes" houses.
• Gothic (late 15th – early 16th centuries). Immediately after the Reconquista, the new rulers sought to assert their authority through architecture. The Isabelline style (the Spanish variation of late Gothic) became a symbol of the transition from the Muslim past to the Christian future.
  Iconic sites: The Royal Chapel (Capilla Real), where the Catholic Monarchs are buried.
• Renaissance (16th century). During this period, the city became a platform for bold architectural experiments striving for Roman grandeur and symmetry. Granada transformed into one of the centres of the Spanish Renaissance.
  Iconic sites: Granada Cathedral — a grandiose structure with a snow-white interior designed by Diego de Siloé, and the Palace of Charles V — a unique example of a building with a circular courtyard inscribed within a square perimeter.
• Baroque (17th–18th centuries). The era of the Counter-Reformation brought theatricality, lavish decor, and emotional saturation to the city. Local Baroque is distinguished by a specific decorativeness known as Churrigueresque.
  Iconic sites: La Cartuja Monastery (Charterhouse) and the Basilica of San Juan de Dios, striking the imagination with an abundance of gilding and stucco.
• Eclecticism and Historicism (late 19th – early 20th centuries). A time of bourgeois modernisation, when the medieval fabric of the city was "cut" by new avenues modelled after Paris or Madrid.
  Iconic sites: Gran Vía avenue (Gran Vía de Colón) with its monumental buildings combining elements of Neo-Baroque and Modernism.

Modern Vector

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the city continued to develop, integrating bold modern solutions into the historic landscape. The Andalusia Memory Cultural Centre and the Science Park demonstrate how modern functionalism and high-tech can coexist with ancient heritage without disturbing the harmony.

Outstanding Personalities in Granada's History

For centuries, Granada has been a home and source of inspiration for many outstanding personalities — from rulers and commanders to artists and poets. Their fates are inextricably linked with key events in the city's history, and their legacy still defines its cultural appearance.

• Muhammad XII (Boabdil) — The last Emir of Granada from the Nasrid dynasty. His reign occurred during the final stage of the Reconquista. On January 2, 1492, he was forced to surrender the city to the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, marking the end of centuries of Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula. His tragic figure remains one of the symbols of old Granada to this day.
• Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon — The Catholic Monarchs who united Spain and completed the Reconquista with the capture of Granada. They chose the city as their final resting place. Their tombs are located in the Royal Chapel adjoining Granada Cathedral, highlighting the historical significance of the city for the Spanish Crown.
• Alonso Cano — A distinguished painter, sculptor, and architect of the 17th century, one of the key representatives of the Spanish Baroque era. Born in Granada, he left the city a rich legacy, including the design of the Cathedral facade, where he worked as the chief master, and numerous paintings and sculptures kept in the cathedral and museums.
• Pedro de Mena — One of the greatest sculptors of the Spanish Baroque in the 17th century, a student of Alonso Cano. He was born in Granada and created many of his masterpieces here, which are distinguished by deep emotionality and realism. His works adorn churches and monasteries not only in Granada but throughout Spain.
• Mariana Pineda — A heroine of the 19th-century liberal movement. She was executed in Granada in 1831 for embroidering a flag for participants in the uprising against the absolutism of King Ferdinand VII. Mariana Pineda became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and one of the most revered historical figures in the city.
• Eugénie de Montijo — A native of Granada who became the last Empress of France as the wife of Napoleon III. Her life is an example of how the Granadan aristocracy was integrated into the highest circles of European politics and society of the 19th century.
• Federico García Lorca — One of the greatest poets and playwrights of 20th-century Spain, whose name is inextricably linked with Granada. He was born near the city, and Granada itself, with its Andalusian flavour, flamenco music, and Moorish heritage, became the central theme of his work. His tragic death in the vicinity of Granada at the beginning of the Civil War forever inscribed his name in the city's history.