DURING THE VISIT

In this second stage, the students are still the main characters of their own learning. We suggest the following route before visiting the Royal Chapel. It would be interesting to have a look at the surroundings of the Chapel to see the landscape the Catholic Kings found when they came to Granada.

1. At the bottom of the monument

Queen Isabella and Columbus

This work was made of stone and bronze by Mariano Benlliure y Gil (1862-1947) in 1892. It shows the moment in which Columbus presents his projects to the Kings. It was originally placed on Plaza del Humilladero and was erected to commemorate the IV Centenary of the Taking of Granada and the Discovery of America. There are many allusive historic inscriptions which reflect a great part of the history of the time.


Legend on the back of the monument

Before taking the street Reyes Católicos, it’s worthwhile contemplating the Albayzín quarter in the distance, which is included in the list of World heritage sites. It is crowned by the Abadía del Sacromonte.

2. El Corral del Carbón

Facade

A former Moorish corn exhange and inn, which dates from early 14th century and it’s the only surviving example of this building type in Spain. It was an important trade centre during the zirí and nazarí periods (XIII-XV). Until the present day, it has been used for different purposes: as a storage space for goods, as an inn for coal merchants, (hence its name), as a theatre, etc., and presently it holds cultural events. It is a quadrangular area composed of two floors arranged around a central courtyard.


Courtyard
The entrance facade is elaborately ornamented with a monumental portal and richly carved stucco surfaces. On the ground floor, there is a beautifully decorated horseshoe arch.
3. Palacio de la Madraza

Facade

A former Arabic university and school of Islamic studies. It attracted many philosophers and wise men from all over the world and it is a place where the most famous West-Islam’s professors taught. It was founded by sultan Yusuf I (1318-1354) in 1349, and it was the first host for the Town Council of Granada until the end of the 19th century.


Detail

Through a Carta de Merced (1500), the Catholic Kings established the number of aldermen (Caballeros XXIV) and their roles: «Primeramente es nuestra merced y mandamos que en la dicha Ciudad haya veinticuatro regidores los cuales tengan cargo de ver las cosas e negocios de dicha Ciudad.» The building has undergone many architectural changes: a Baroque facade, a Muslim prayer hall, and Mudejar rooms and coffered ceiling.

4. The Royal Chapel

Making a visit. It would be desirable that the groups which have prepared the different topics should participate.

5. End of the visit

Before finishing the visit, when you are in Plaza de las Pasiegas, have a quick glance at the maginificient facades of the Church of El Sagrario, the old Arab University, the Ecclesiastic Curia, and the Cathedral. These three buildings and the Royal Chapel are the most outstanding cluster of the Christian Granada.

Facade of the Church
of El Sagrario

Facade of the old
Ecclesiastic

Facade of the Cathedral
de Granada