Granada is to the south of Spain and is about six hours drive from Madrid. The roads are smooth and well maintained. Olive trees are grown in perfect symmetry along the roads and it is a pleasure to travel by them.

The city of Granada is the capital of Granada province and it is a lovely place. The province is an autonomous region of Andalausia. It is at a height of 738 meters above sea level and at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Granada is situated at the confluence of three rivers-Beiro, Darro and Genil. Granada means ‘Great Castle’. Like all other cities of Spain, Granada is a cauldron of many cultures. Perhaps the Jews first occupied it, maybe even before the Romans. There have been the Moors, Muslims and Arabs who settled and ruled over the place. The Arabs gave Granada its name in the 8th century. It came into Christian hands in 1492. Granada was called Ilbyr and Illibris by the Romans.

Granada is a great tourist attraction and thousands of tourists come here to see the beautiful architecture and monuments. The greatest attraction is the Alhambra, a series of palaces and gardens built by the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th century. It took many years to build and it is a mixture of Muslim, Christian and Jewish legacy. About eight thousand people visit it everyday. Alhambra is situated at the foot of Spain’s highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada and overlooks the fertile plains of Granada. Each palace and every garden is beautiful and unforgettable. Tourists admire it and take thousands of pictures of the beautiful architecture which is well preserved.

There are plenty of gypsies in Granada and they have preserved their culture. Dancing in colorful sweeping robes and merry making is part of a Granadian Spaniard’s life. Gypsies probably came some six thousand years ago and settled here. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella unified Spain which included Granada. The Treaty of Surrender signed at that time allowed Muslims to continue with their faith and beliefs without any interference. However it was in 1501 that this Treaty was revoked making it compulsory for Granada’s Muslims to either convert to Christianity of leave the place. The majority complied, converted to Christianity and was called Mosircos, Catholics of Moorish descent. Some immigrated to other countries, mainly North Africa. It was then that the Mosques were transformed into churches and cathedrals. Even the Jews were not spared and given the same ultimatum.

As Granada consists of mountains and beaches, people can have the best of both the worlds. Those who like mountains and love hiking can come here and so also those who wish to sunbathe on the beaches. Granada is a lovely place but is not free from muggers and purse snatchers. Many tourists have fallen prey. However the police are efficient and immediately take measures to see that the passports or the credit cards of the victims are not misused.