Granada: The City of the Pomegranate, the Alhambra, and Soon, My Home

There is an old phrase in Granada: "Give something to the poor blind man, because there’s nothing crueler in life than to be blind in Granada"

Granada has often been described as the most beautiful city in Spain, both by official travel books and by personal acquaintances I know who have visited this ancient and culturally rich city. Located in southern Spain, in the province of Andalucia, Granada is renowned for its Moorish architecture, fascinating history, and vibrant night life.

Why did I chose to study in Granada out of all of the other fascinating and delightful Spanish cities? Was it to share a city with the Alhambra, which has been hailed as a new wonder of the world? Or was it to bask in the warm Mediterranean sun surrounded by orange trees? Maybe it was to hike up the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains?

While all of these aspects definitely made the decision easy, the central reason I chose Granada was its unique culture and history. Although most of Spain is Catholic, the result of campaigns by devout monarchs of Spain, especially King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, southern Spain, and specifically Granada, maintains a distinctive Islamic cultural flair. Whether it is seen in the architecture, tasted in the food, or heard in the music, the atmosphere of Granada is alive with a fusion of cultures. Furthermore, the large "gitano" or gypsy population also provides Granada with an extra dose of culture.

For anyone who is not a Spain aficionado, here are some quick facts about Granada:

 



As mentioned above, Granada is located in Southern Spain (written in red in the map above), about 60 kilometers from the Mediterranean sea and 434 kilometers from Madrid, the capital of Spain.

About 275,000 people live in Granada and 2.5 million tourists visit the city each year. However, the population usually swells to around 350,000 when students return each year.

Granada was the last stronghold of the Moorish empire in Spain before it fell to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella at the end of the 15th century.

"Granada" means pomegranate.


In a few short days, I will be officially moved into my "residencia" in Granada and begin attending my classes at the University of Granada. I do not know exactly what lies ahead of me, but through it all, I will be sure to keep my eyes wide open and enjoy the beauty of Granada.