| Monday
4th: Cocktail Reception, 20.30h.
The Hospital Real was one
of the first buildings embarked upon by the Catholic Monarchs after the conquest
of Granada. It was begun in 1511 and is one of three such public hospitals set
up in early Renaissance Spain to cater for the poor and needy. It was a
hospital from 1526 until 1982, when it was acquired by the University of Granada
to be its rectorate and seat of government. |
Tuesday
5th:
Guided night-time visit to the Alhambra, 20.00h.
The
Alhambra is the finest example of a mediaeval Muslim palatine city extant
in the world. The original fortress was built on the "red hill" (from whence its
name in Arabic) in the X century but the magnificent palaces we see today were
the work of the Nasrid kings, who ruled Granada from the XIII century to 1492,
when the Catholic monarchs reconquered this last Muslim stronghold in Spain. It
is full of intricate tiling, stucco work and wooden ceilings which cannot be described
in a short introduction such as this. Any visitor to Granada must visit the Alhambra
and see it with his own eyes. |
| 
Wednesday
6th: Gala Dinner in the Alhambra Palace Hotel with Flamenco Show, 20.30h. The
Alhambra Palace Hotel was built at the beginning of the XX century by the Duke
of San Pedro de Galatino during an upsurge of interest in Europe in all things
Arabic. It was inaugurated in 1910 by King Alfonso XIII.
The building
resembles an Andalucian palace, with a terracota facade and white balconies on
the upper floors. The building is topped off in traditional Andalusian style with
a colourful tiled dome. It is one of Granada's most elegant hotels and most well-known
landmarks. |
| 
Thursday
7th: Paseo through the Albayzin up to St. Nicolas, 20.30h. A
walk around the ancient Albaicín district. (You should wear sensible shoes.) The
Albaicín is the oldest part of Granada and has been inhabited for at least 5,000
years, since the Copper Age. The walk starts from Plaza Nueva and first of all
follows the Carrera del Darro alongside the river, past several interesting mediaeval
mansions and a Muslim bathhouse (El Bañuelo) until the Paseo de Los Tristes. From
here the street turns left and climbs up to the Plaza de San Nicolás, which offers
one of the most dramatic views in Europe: the Alhambra emerging from the wooded
bank of the river Darro. The Albaicín, with its medieval walls, churches, convents,
cisterns and palaces, was recently included by UNESCO in its catalogue of Cultural
World Heritage sites. |
