The Jewish Granada (Garnata Al-Yahud) with private guide

We will begin our visit in the Plaza de Isabel la Católica, where we find the fountain that represents Christopher Columbus with Queen Isabel the Catholic who, on March 31, 1492, decreed the expulsion of the Sephardic people from Granada.

We will walk to Pavaneras Street, where the statue of Yehuda Ibn Tibon is located, a famous Jew from Granada, who was a doctor, philosopher, poet and translator. It was in fact his translations of Arabic texts into Hebrew that facilitated the arrival of Arabic science in Europe.

To the left of this famous Jew is what was once the San Francisco Convent (1507), where the Franciscans of the Alhambra moved when the Realejo neighborhood was deserted after the expulsion of the Jews. The first archbishop of the city, Fray Hernando de Talavera, is buried there and is currently the headquarters of the MADOC (Military Training and Doctrine Command) Headquarters.

Going down Pavaneras street, we can visit the famous Casa de los Tiros, a building that looks like a military fortress dating from the 16th century, named for the artillery pieces that adorn its battlements. The building was built by the Granada-Venegas family, converted Muslim nobles who also owned the Generalife Gardens until 1921 and whose family motto was: “The heart rules.”

We can now go up to the Sephardic Museum, a small house run by a Jewish family whose objective is to remind visitors that Jews were already in Granada since the 4th century and how important they were in the development of the city.

The time has come to take a break to rest and contemplate some beautiful views from the quiet Placeta de la Puerta del Sol, next to a curious 17th century laundry room.

After this brief pause, we will go up the Cuesta del Realejo, a steep stepped street, typical of the Jewish quarters, that connects the Lower Realejo with the upper part of the city. On the so-called Mauror hill, we will discover the mysterious Torres Bermejas that form a defensive bastion connected to the Alcazaba of Granada and that were probably built back in the 11th century.

We will then go down to Campo del Príncipe – formerly called Campo de la Loma – and which is considered the heart of the Realejo neighborhood. A very popular place, where all kinds of celebrations and public events have been held.

Where the famous Cristo de los Favores is also found, since 1682. It was built with the donations of the residents of the neighborhood, and since then it has been the object of devotion. On Good Friday at three in the afternoon, the crowd is placed around the figure to ask for three favors or wishes and it is that the locals think that this statue represents Christ three minutes before dying.

And here our experience ends, in a perfect place to sit in any of the many bars in the square and taste the best of Granada’s gastronomy!