Granada is Ancient and Mysterious

The name Granada is ancient and mysterious. It mayready for the bigger events.
mean great castle, for the Roman fortress which onceGranadas excellent location and its mild climate make it
stood on the Albaicin Hill. When the Moors came here,possible to practice sports on pitches, tracks or courts
the town was largely inhabited by Jews, for whichas well as those in contact with nature.
they called it Granada of the Jews. The Jews are saidThe Municipal Sports Centre has facilities for playing
to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain,basketball, handball, table tennis, volleyball, indoor
even before the Romans.football, martial arts and more. Granadas interest in
At the foot of Sierra Nevada, between the Darro andsporting activities culminates in the holding of the long
Genil rivers, lies one of the most interesting cities indistance races that take place in different places
eastern Andalusia. An impressive Andalusian legacythroughout the province.
meets architectural gems from the Renaissance andIt has a large student community, and, for this reason,
the most modern facilities, typical of the 21st century.the city hosts a wide variety of leisure activities for
It was the last city reconquered by the Catholicyoung people. The calendars of cinemas, theatres,
Monarchs in 1492. Granada has an unmistakable Arabauditoriums and exhibition halls fill up with the many
flavour. Its cuisine, crafts and urban layout are afestivals that have chosen Granada to host their
consequence of the city's glorious history. Fountains,events.
viewpoints and the villas surrounded by gardens typicalCeramics, silver and inlaid woodwork are just some of
of the city, add to Granadas unforgettable charm.the most famous craft products from Granada. There
Not in vain was one of its oldest districts, the Albaicin,is a wide range of shops in the streets of Granada,
declared a World Heritage Site, together with thefrom workshops, franchises, traditional and prestigious
Alhambra. An important cultural centre for centuries,shops to shopping centres and street markets, giving
both during Muslim and Christian rule, nowadays thethe visitor numerous different alternatives for a days
city boasts an enviable calendar of cultural and leisureshopping.
events.It has a vast network of accommodation, including
Music, cinema and theatre seasons and festivals arehistoric buildings, such as the old convent of Santa
listed, along with permanent and temporary exhibitionsPaula and the convent of San Francisco.
ranging over all fields of knowledge. Old RenaissanceDue to its great communications, its marvellous climate,
palaces are home to seminars, conferences andits beaches, and its snowy mountains, it is a unique
debates, while the most innovative infrastructures aredestination for cultural, adventure and business travel.