The autonomous community of Andalusia of Spain is home to Albayzin, the old Muslim quarter in Granada. Owing to its convenient geographical location and colorful history, Spain has been influenced by a number of diverse cultures. The old Muslim quarter -Albayzin is the remnant of Moorish influence that spread over Spain during seven hundred years of Muslim rule. Albayzin was declared a world heritage site by UNESCCO in 1984.

El Albayzin

A district in Granada, Albayzin still retains narrow winding streets reminiscent of Spain’s Moorish Medieval past. The community rises on a hill opposite Alhambra. The Alhambra is a palace (when translated literally a red fortress) built in the fourteenth century by the Moorish rulers of the Province of Granada. Today tourists come to Albayzin for the view of the Alhambra.

Albayzin have other highlights as well. These include the Church of San Salvador and Mirador De San Nicolas, an Arab bath complex and the Archeological Museum of Granada. Albayzin still has some original Moorish houses. The area is dotted with a wide variety of eateries, the main influence being that of North Africa.

Mirador De San Nicolas

Situated on a hill in Albayzin, Mirador De San Nicolas provides a breath taking view of the palace of Alhambra. Though the view is great throughout the day, sunset is the best time to visit it. The Mirador also offers a good view of the rest of the city and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. On one side of the Mirador is the Church of San Nicolas and the other side is dotted with a number of restaurants. In the evening, the place is swarmed by natives and gypsies who sell knick-knacks, sing native songs and play the Spanish guitar. The Mirador is a perfect place to spend evenings in Albayzin.

Church of San Salvador

On the site of the main mosque of Granada, the Church of San Salvador was built. Columns, a water cistern and the horseshoe-shaped patio of ablutions are the few feature of the former structure that has survived. The church was consecrated in 1499. It is built in the Mudejar style i.e. the church’s architecture has a lot of Moorish influence. The structure also has a Renaissance doorway Diego de Siloe. Inside the church there are variety of paintings including that of an effigy of the patron saint by Pedro de Cornejo.

The Arab Baths of Granada

Albayzin is home to the ruins of the oldest public bath or Hammams, Hammam El Banuelo. In the Moorish world, these Hammams served many purposes other than just bathing. It was here that the men interacted, cracked business deals and discussed politics apart from indulging in massages and getting haircuts and shaves. This was the only other place the women were allowed to visit, the other being the cemetery to pray. The women used the hammam to have celebrations for the bride-to-be’s and bachelorette parties.

Hammam El Banuelo ruins are almost thousand years old. The baths were a part of the Mesquita del Nogal (Mosque of the Walnut Tree). This Hammam can be considered one of the best examples remaining of a Moorish bath. When the last of the natives were evicted by the Christians, this bath and many others were forgotten.

Today, in a quest to preserve the culture many such baths have mushroomed around Albayzin. This establishments promise the same luxuries that the erstwhile Arab baths offered. These modern day hammams have Moorish decors as well. While on a visit to Albayzin one must indulge in one such hammam to relive the Moorish social life.

Archaeological Museum of Granada

The Archaeological Museum of Granada is located in Albayzin. The Museum is housed in the 16rh century Castril Palace. The exhibits of the Museum include artifacts the different civilizations, namely, the Carthaginians, the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Arabs, that settled in Granada over years.

The old Muslim quarter of Spain, Albayzin, reminds us of the past. It acts as a reminder of the strong Moorish presence in Spain. Though Spain has a number of tourist destinations, Albayzin is a must-visit destination for tourists looking to experience the wonderful past of the country as well as varied cultures that make Spain what it is today.