Christ Crucified, Diego Velázquez, 1632

Near the heart of the city of Madrid, its white columns glimmering in the rays of El Sol, stands the Museo Del Prado. Built in 1785 under the orders of King Charles III, it was originally intended to be the home of the National History Cabinet. Luckily for us, however, and thanks to the prompting of his wife, King Ferdinand VII (the grandson of King Charles) designated it as the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and now is the home of some of the most significant and beautiful works of art in the world. 

One such work, watching over the paintings in room 014, is Christ Crucified, painted by Diego Velázquez around 1632. It depicts Christ suspended on the cross, his pale figure illuminated against the darkness of the background, his isolation in his passion driven into our minds by the starkness and loneliness of his setting. By the wound on his side, we know that he’s already dead, but despite the gruesome details of the story of his death, this Christ is peaceful. He’s upright and firm, his face is calm and beautiful. Contrary to the more popular trend of the time of placing one foot atop the other, he’s instead held up by two feet planted on the suppedaneum, giving us a sense of rest, of stability, and of firmness. The Christ in this work is beautiful and calm- Velázquez is showing us a different aspect of this scene, drawing from the idea that Christ, while being beautiful in his soul, was also the most physically beautiful person to live. This isn’t the dramatic, emotional and gruesome crucifixions we’re used to seeing from the baroque. This Christ seems to be gently reposing on the cross, beautiful, serene, and solemn. His face is partially veiled by a curtain of his hair, drawing us in and inviting us to look closer to peak under and reveal the beauty of his face.

The entire painting, its solitary setting, its calmness and serenity, the four nails, the already dead Christ- everything even down to the fully written text above Christ’s head (“Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews” In Latin, Hebrew, and Greek), is a massive departure from the baroque trends of the time. They favored three nails, a living, suffering figure with a more dynamic, twisting pose, an abbreviated INRI instead of the written text, and most significantly, the drama and emotion of the typical Baroque crucifixion. 

All these aspects that Velázquez is rejecting and the solemnity of the iconographic quality he’s embracing come from the ideas of the artist Pacheco, who advocated for these breaks in the trends in his book Art of Painting. His idea was to create something that was ancient, that pulled from the old iconographic ideas of painting, that inspired the viewer with its solemnity. Pacheco believed that painting was the superior medium, it could, he said, create something embraceable. Paintings such as this were made for chapels and churches, to be hung among the softly glowing candles and gazed upon during prayer. Pacheco wanted artists to create an experience– the solemnity of feeling as though the figure was incarnate in front of you, and if you reached out, you could embrace it. 

These ideas are more than evident in Velázquez’ Christ- He took these ideas and transcended them into something above and beyond anything attempted before. His Christ is so soft and lifelike, so delicate and beautiful, it feels as though you have to hold your breath or you might disturb the sweet rest of the gentle figure. Unlike any painting of its time, Velázquez shows us a Christ that is gently reposing on the perfectly crafted cross, enveloped in softness and light, stretching out his arms on the beams of the cross, inviting your embrace. This is just one masterpiece in the Museo del Prado, and its richness, significance, and symbolism could be studied for days. I invite anyone, whether a student or teacher of the arts, of history, of theology, or anything in between, to come and experience the embraceability Pacheco so strongly advocated for, embodied, or more appropriately incarnate in the dazzling work of Velázquez.

Have you ever wanted to visit a place not just for all the fun things to do or the views but specifically something that regards the art work, architecture, and the stories behind them? Do you ever want to find a quiet and historical place of value among the city? Well here are some gorgeous paintings you can come see at the Toledo Museum of Art. They have many different historical pieces of work and the history behind these works is just astonishing. Some of the places you can visit are Santa Maria la Blanca and San Juan de los Reyes. These classical buildings give way into the architectural displays of what the Toldeo, Spain offers.

To start your day of architectural adventure, you may begin at the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes (St. John of the Monarchs), an exquisite Franciscan monastery originally built in the 15th century to celebrate the 1476 victory at the battle of Toro, which united Spain. This monastery was intrusted into the province Franciscan of Castille. The location of the monastery being separated by the population by the Tagus river and housing called “the Cigarrales” causes a community to come together. Within the walls of the center monastery, there is a grouping of paintings on an altar that embodies the stories of the St. Helena Cross, the resurrection of Christ, and many other hints towards the Old Testament. Although the original altar disappeared in the Napoleonic War, the current paintins and architecture display the Christian impression among its walls. San Juan de los Reyes includes alongside the original monastery, eight quiet chapels and four bodies on a ship on display.

One beautiful place is Santa María la Blanca, a synagogue-turned church in a Moorish style. This church is one of the oldest synagogues from the 1200s still standing in Europe today. This church signifies a blend of cultures from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. In 1250 a fire devastated the church leading to its restoration in 1250 by the Castilian King Alfonso X. The rich history of this unique monument’s ability to capture an audience. The architecture is influenced by Muslim, Castilian, and Nasrid techniques such as the octagonal pillars and complex decorations of volutes and horseshoe arches. These architectural designs shaped the construction of other Spanish synagogues.

On your last stop of the day, you may want to stop by the El Greco Museum where you can find many promotional exhibitions of  Don Benigno de la Vega-Inclán y Flaquer, II Marquis of Vega-Inclán (1858-1942) work based upon El Greco. El Greco’s works came from the beginning of the 17th century and influenced Toledo’s community to this day. Don Benigno is a figure used by the museum to reform the historical environments of displaying work from El Greco. El Greco is a mannerist painter of Greek and Italian training. Many of the understandings emphasized by the museum are El Greco’s influence towards contemporary painters to the present day along with disseminating and valuing remains of the Jewish quarters kept within the museum.

In conclusion, there are alot more places throughout Toledo, Spain that you can learn about its history through the arts and architectural structures. Places such as the El Greco Museum, San Juan de los Reyes and Santa Maria la Blanca provide an understanding into the blend of cultures that built the personality of the art history in Toleldo, Spain. 

written by William Perkins & Henry Owen, posted by Henry Owen due to IT difficulties

Toledo was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 thanks to the important roles it held for the many different empires and kingdoms it survived. The city has had considerable influence on surrounding areas and events for many different reasons—during the Visigoth period, it was the capital of a far-reaching kingdom, and during the Renaissance, it was one of the most important cities in Spain. Toledo showcases well-preserved tradition, architectural features, and structures from a vast number of historic civilizations, as well as having a long history in the production of steel and swords.

Antiquity

One of the first recorded accounts of the city of Toletum came from the Roman historian Livy, describing the place as a “small city, fortified by location”. This is in reference to the city’s geography, situated on a promontory that is surrounded by the Tagus River on three sides. Before Roman occupation, it was once inhabited by a Celtic tribe, the Carpetani. Roman general Marcus Fulvius Nobilior conquered the city in 193 BCE and the city would remain important throughout the different eras of Roman administration, though its importance grew more in the later periods. During the time of the Romans, a circus was constructed in Toletum, becoming one of the largest circuses in Hispania. This circus was used for chariot races on special holidays, and records exist that show there were games paid for by a private citizen to celebrate him becoming a priest. Along with the circus, public baths, a water supply, and a storage system were also constructed.

Middle Ages

During the sixth century, Toledo was the capital of the Visigothic court and was host to a series of famous church councils, the third of which featured King Recared’s conversion to Christianity—and most of these councils were held to discuss and deal with religious issues and conflicts. From the early eighth century to the late eleventh century the Moors occupied the city, putting down multiple revolts from the city due to issues with Parias (tribute) and territorial mutilations. During the Umayyad caliphate, a governor was held hostage in Toledo in a demand for the return of Toledan hostages that were being held in Cordoba. This escalated into a feud with the city of Calatrava la Vieja, and Toledo attacked and nearly destroyed Calatrava in the mid-800s. Though Toledo suffered a defeat, they did not surrender, and after more unsuccessful military moves from both sides, Toledo remained virtually independent for the next two decades until Muhammad I finally successfully sieged Toledo and gained control. A large contingent of the population were Mozarabs during the Moorish occupation and integrated smoothly when King Alfonso VI conquered the city.

After a protracted set of military campaigns, Toledo became the most important political and social hub of Castile. The residents were a mix of culturally Jewish, Muslim, and Christian subjects who all engaged in cross-cultural efforts such as when Alfonso X established the Escuela de Traductores (School of Translators) to facilitate such interactions in the thirteenth century. Toledo also hosted a royal library and at least one private library, with records showing that one contained copies of religious commentaries, religious works, and works that would later become very influential on medieval Spanish laws. However, these efforts were not without internal strife as the Archdiocese of Toledo sponsored multiple persecutions throughout the seventh century. The Kingdom of Toledo doubled down on this trend as many forced conversions, mass murders, and riots would follow in the thirteenth to the fifteenth century. Toledo remained a key part of Spain’s holdings until its importance decreased drastically during the reign of the Holy Roman Emperors.

Modern Era

The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, would choose Toledo as his residence fifteen times over his lengthy reign, granting the city its coat of arms. When Charles V named Toledo as his (temporary) seat, it entered a period of economic and political decadence. Toledo would remain relevant to the empire even when Phillip II made Madrid the capital in 1560, drastically lowering the city’s importance to the empire, even as the population increased to over 50,000. The Archbishops of the city remained powerful figures in local politics, owning vast swaths of land in the Inner Plateau and some nearby outer territories.

Many years after the Reconquista, a mass deportation of Moriscos to the city caused quite a stir due to the recent Alpujarras rebellion and the logistical feat of transporting the migrants to the city. The remaining social system that had weathered the mixing cultures and social classes was destroyed by the immigration wave, influencing a long trend of xenophobic attacks on the Morisco population.

For centuries the city excelled in the manufacture of silk, growing in prosperity until the Peninsular War. In the nineteenth century, Toledo gradually transitioned from a convent city into a more secular bureaucratic administration. This change in policy carried the city through the Spanish Civil War and Franco’s regime.

Just before the Spanish Civil War, the Alcázar of Toledo (which had been built during the reign of Charles V) was serving as the Infantry’s military academy. During the war, it was used as a refuge for Nationalists and was sieged by Republican troops and militias for two months until Franco ordered the Army of Africa to rescue the Alcázar. The siege failed, though the building was very nearly destroyed. This “liberation” did result in a major propaganda victory for Franco and gave rise to many tales of heroism and sacrifice, though many of them had been far removed from the actual events of the siege.

During Franco’s regime, the city remained a major tourist destination and an ideal location for diplomatic meetings. One of the most important meetings that took place in the city was in 1940 between Heinrich Himmler and Director General of Security José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní to inspect Spanish security forces and discuss future Spanish-German cooperation. During his visit, Himmler toured the ruins of the Alcázar.

Founded in the 14th century by the Nasrid King Yusuf I, Madrasah, a name which means Koranic school or university in the Arabic language, was the first University of Al-Andalus, built to teach theology, law, medicine, astronomy, logic, mathematics and more. The school gave rise to poets of the likes of Ibn al-Khatib and Ibn Zamrak, both of whom have works etched into the walls of The Alhambra.

One of the last buildings from the Nasrid period standing, the Madrasah resides within the same suburb as the Great Mosque of Granada. After Ferdinand II and Isabel I took Granada, bringing an end to the Reconquista, the school was raided and many of its books burned. In 1500 the building was given a new purpose and used as the town hall of Granada, where in the building was overhauled giving a more Baroque appearance, however many of the original features remain such as in the buildings oratory, which retains its horseshoe arches, original colors, as well as the latticework and plaster on the ceiling. Additionally a room called “the hall of the 24 knights” was preserved housing preserved Muslim armors.

The building was reclaimed in 1841 by the state where it was repurposed back to its original purpose and became apart of the university of Granada and became the seat of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Nuestra Señora de las Angustias.

Today the Madrasah, on top of serving as part of the university of Granada, is open to public allowing for tours of the once great university, where in you can view many great art works such as the “Virgin of the Rose” which is preserved and housed there.

For more information about the Madrasah:
https://en.granada.info/madrasah
or
https://www.lovegranada.com/monuments/madraza/

Granada’s art scene allows visitors to immerse themselves in centuries of history and culture, as seen through its galleries and street murals. You can find beautiful artwork in galleries like the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada or on the streets of the Albaicín or Realejo districts.

Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada

The Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada is a fine arts museum located in the Palace of Charles V. It features various art media, including paintings and sculptures, that focus primarily on depicting religious themes. Containing over 2,000 pieces ranging from creation in the Middle Ages to the 20th century, the museum allows visitors to take in the beauty of this artwork in various different rooms that put these pieces chronologically.

Street Art in the Albaicín and Realejo Districts

Although Granada has beautiful artwork in its galleries and various historical sites, some of its most popular art comes from its street murals, primarily found in the Albaicín and Realejo districts. These murals display history and tell stories of the area’s culture. The art here is done by a number of artists, the most notable being El Niño de las Pinturas. His art depicts strong facial expressions and human figures. With street art becoming more of an important part of culture in Granada, there have been events that have been taken place such as the “Granada Graffiti” festival, where artists from all over the world will travel to have the chance to display their art. These events and the murals generally bring many visitors who are interested in this style of art to Granada.

Bibliography

Alhambra Valparaiso Ocio y Cultura SL. “Museum of the Alhambra.” Alhambra Granada, 2019, www.alhambra.org/en/museum-alhambra.html.

Divento. “Museo de Bellas Artes, Granada.” Divento, 2025, www.divento.com/en/home/23697-museo-de-bellas-artes-granada.html. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Vidar. “7 Must-Visit Spots to Discover the Lovely Street Art of El Niño de Las Pinturas in Granada.” Streetartutopia.com, 20 Jan. 2024, streetartutopia.com/2024/01/20/el-nino-de-las-pinturas-a-collection/.

Grandes Villas. “Urban Art in Granada: A Tour of the Most Stunning Murals and Graffiti.” Grandesvillas.com, 10 July 2025, www.grandesvillas.com/en/post/urban-art-in-granada-a-tour-of-the-most-stunning-murals-and-graffiti. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

Granada offers a wide variety of sports to watch and play, such as football, skiing, and cycling. Local facilities, clubs, and the university encourage participation amongst the community, making Granada a popular place for both professional and recreational sports. 

Football

The most popular of these sports to watch is football. Granada Club de Fútbol, which is often referred to as Granada CF, is a Spanish football club based in the city of Granada. It was founded in 1931, and the team plays its home games at the Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium. Granada CF has gone between being promoted and demoted to the first and second divisions of the sport. In recent years, they have been in the first division, La Liga, and have also qualified to compete against European teams, such as Manchester United and Napoli. Going to Granada CF games is a great way to be exposed to the sports culture in the city. With their entertaining matches and passionate fan base, it is something that you won’t want to miss experiencing while staying in Granada.

Skiing

As for sports any local or tourist can enjoy, skiing in the Sierra Nevada is an experience that attracts both locals and tourists. It is a short 30-minute drive from the city of Granada and offers a variety of trails suited for every skill level. The ski season typically runs from November through May, with the peak months being December to February. This is an activity that is fun for anyone, whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on the slopes, take lessons, or simply to have fun and enjoy the views of the mountains.

Cycling

Another sport that is commonly enjoyed in both the Sierra Nevada and the city of Granada is cycling. This sport is also for a variety of skill levels, as one can ride a more challenging course in the mountains or enjoy a more leisurely ride exploring the sites of the city. Granada also attracts professional cyclists training for major races. A popular Australian cyclist named Cadel Evans found that the Sierra Nevada mountains were helpful in altitude training when he was preparing his team for the Tour de France.

Bibliography:

Barcelona, FC. “The Lowdown on Granada CF.” Fcbarcelona.com, FC Barcelona, 7 Feb. 2024, www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/3884194/the-lowdown-on-granada-cf. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Cooper, Ben. “The LVC Insider’s Guide To: Skiing in the Sierra Nevada.” The Luxury Villa Collection, 21 Feb. 2022, theluxuryvillacollection.com/a-luxury-guide-to-skiing-in-the-sierra-nevada/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Granada CF. “Granada CF.” VAVEL, VAVEL.com, 2024, www.vavel.com/en-us/data/granada-cf/bio/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Malaga.us. “Unbelievable Skiing at the Sierra Nevada – Malaga, Spain.” Malaga.us, 3 Mar. 2023, www.malaga.us/sport/skiing-in-malaga-sierra-nevada/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

Sierra Sports & Tours, and Paul D’Andrea. “Granada.” Epic Road Rides, 16 Apr. 2025, epicroadrides.com/destinations/cycling-spain/granada/. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

There are many famous buildings in Toledo with amazing histories. These buildings’ rich histories are both interesting and educational, perfect for the students to enjoy and learn from!

Mosque of Cristo de la Luz

The first famous building is the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, also called the Church of Santa Cruz. It is one of Toledo’s oldest standing monuments. This building was made in December of 999 through January of 1000. It was built by Ahmad ibn Hadidi, a member of one of the significant Toledo families. The exterior of the building has a façade that was uncommon at the time it was made. The interior of the building is very open and has many interesting arches, representing the architectural style used during the time it was made. This Mosque is a significant cultural and historical landmark and reflects Toledo’s Islamic past. This would be a great place to see where Toledo intertwines history, art, and faith. To see this building, join one of the walking tours or scavenger hunts, which include this building!

Puerta de Bisagra

The next famous building is the Puerta de Bisagra, which is also called Puerta de Alfonso VI. The purpose of this gate is to be an entrance that opens to the walls of Toledo or a city gate of Toledo. The gate was most likely built during the Arab period. The main significant architects who built this gate were Nicolás de Vergara the Elder, El Monzo, Juan de Benavides and Eugenio Sánchez, Hernán González de Lara, and Alonso de Covarrubias. They built the exterior around 1559, which was a Renaissance/classical design. An interesting fact about this gate was that a façade had been put on the door to the gate to make it difficult for enemies to infiltrate Toledo. This gate would be great for students to see because of its historical significance to Toledo and how it protected the city.

San Juan de Los Reyes

Another famous building is the Monastery of San Juan de Los Reyes, which was founded by King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. They chose Toledo for this Monastery because of its location and because, in the past, Toledo was the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom, which made it more appealing. They also wanted this Monastery to show off their victory in the Battle of Toro. Its construction began in 1477 and was completed in 1504. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in 1809 during Napoleon’s occupation of Toledo, but was restored in 1954. The style used was Gothic with influences from the Spanish and Flemish. It is known for the coat of arms of the Catholic Monarchs being held by eagles.

Castle of San Servando

The last famous building of many is the Castle of San Servando, which was built to defend the Alcántara bridge. Interestingly, it was originally built as a monastery, which Alfonso VI ordered to honor the Saints Servando and Germano. In the 11^th century, it was rebuilt due to the reconquest of Toledo. It currently works as a youth hostel, so this would be a great place to stay for a few nights and learn about its history!

These sites and buildings would be a great opportunity for students to learn about the history of Toledo! To see and learn more about these amazing historic buildings, you can get tickets for admission or go on a guided tour of each while you are here.

Marzipan

Toledo’s culinary scene is likely most well-known for its marzipan! Marzipan is a dessert made with sugar or honey, egg whites and almond meal, and is used as the base for a dessert, as a filling, or as a stand-alone that can be shaped and colored to look like miniature fruits!. Many cities across Europe claim marzipan as a specialty, with Toledo among them. The legend of marzipan in Toledo dates back to the invasions of Spain by the Almohads (who were Berber Muslims from North Africa). Many people in the southern Castilian region took refuge in Toledo, where they faced famine due to an existing food scarcity and the large increase in the population. However, the Church there had large swaths of land that grew large reserves of almonds. The population thought to mix the almonds with the fruit and sugar they had, creating marzipan and alleviating their hunger.

Marzipan is so important to Toledo that there were three separate clauses dedicated to it by Toledo’s Confectioner’s Guild in the 1600s! Santo Tomé is one of the original manufacturers of marzipan in Toledo, still going strong since its establishment in 1856, and has kept records of the history of marzipan (all accessible on their website)!

You can get brunch (even if you’re gluten-free!), purchase boxes of marzipan carefully crafted to look like miniature fruit, learn more about the history of marzipan, read the marzipan clauses, and visit the largest marzipan Don Quixote in the world (measuring over 11 feet in height and weighing over 1,300 pounds) at the Santo Tomé confectionery website.

Carcamusa

Carcamusa is a specialty of Toledo: it’s a pork stew with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, and peas, and the tomato-based sauce in it is typically made moderately spicy from the chorizo. It is usually served as a tapa with crusty bread. Though it is a popular dish, the origins of the stew are unclear: most sources attribute it to the restaurant Bar Ludeña in the mid-20^th century, but the name of the dish is still speculated about. Bar Ludeña is still a very popular place to eat, and with affordable prices, it’s a favorite for any visiting student—but be sure to show up early, because its popularity often means that the restaurant is jam-packed!

Manchego cheese

Manchego cheese is a delicious cheese made from sheep’s milk, aged from 60 days up to 2 years. It has a firm, buttery texture, with a developed, distinctive flavor and nutty undertones. The Manchego Cheese Museum in the heart of historic Toledo is dedicated to the history and production of Manchego cheese. There’s also a tasting room in the museum, where you can taste the best Manchego cheese varieties on offer, paired with the best wines of the Mancha region!

Where to eat?

Toledo is also home to many food markets, with Mercado de San Agustín one of the most well-known. The Mercado de San Agustín is a 23-stall multi-level market that offers a variety of cuisines, both local and foreign, from Manchego cheese salads to Japanese food. This market offers quality food, products, and even tastings, cooking classes, and guided tours of the marketplace—you can’t miss out, it’s a perfect place to grab a bite to eat between classes, sit down for a longer meal, or stock up for the week!

One of the premier restaurants in Toledo is the Restaurante Victor Sánchez-Beato, founded and operated by Chef Victor Sánchez-Beato after he returned, inspired, from a trip to Japan. The restaurant is so small that it can only fit 16 diners (by design), leading to a very personal dining experience that the chef describes as the diner being the “protagonist” of the experience. It is on the pricey side at 62 euros per person, so while it may not be possible to eat there every day, it is definitely worth going once for the experience!

The Plaza de Bib-Rambla is a square in the city of Granada that has seen the city’s significant historical transformations. The term “Bib-Rambla” is an Arabic one, meaning “Gate to the Sand” or “Gate of the River,” as the plaza previously functioned as the gateway to the city in the period of Muslim control (particularly in the Nasrid period). Nowadays, the plaza is the closest thing Granada has to a Castilian main square and boasts cafés, souvenir shops, florists, and bookstores for students to bring a commemorative item back home! It is also located close to the Granada Cathedral and the Alhambra, so any tourists can easily walk to multiple incredible sites in a single day! The Plaza de Bib-Rambla has been noted as a common meeting place for both tourists and Granadans alike, so it would be in one’s best interest to become familiar with one of the most significant Granadan locales. Another reason to visit the Plaza de Bib-Rambla would be to immerse oneself into the history of a city that has experienced Spain’s most formative and influential historical trends.

1. El Fuente de los Gigatones: The Contribution of an Absentee Monarch

One of the Plaza de Bib-Rambla’s most notable features is the Fuente de los Gigatones (depicted below), or the “Fountain of Giants,” a beautiful fountain in the center of the plaza depicting the Gods of Rome and topped with a statue of Neptune.

The fountain was erected in the mid-17th century during the rule Charles V, a Holy Roman Emperor. It was originally placed in a different location, but was moved multiple times until it ended up in the plaza. Charles V was considered an “absent” monarch because he was not frequently present in Spain as a result of his gigantic empire and poorly received first impression. In the beginning of his rule (1517-1556), Charles V visited Spain for the first time and stole money from churches in Aragon, did not speak Spanish, and left a foreign regent in his place upon departure. Negative sentiments toward the new monarch never truly dissipated despite his best efforts, and the conjunction with the geopolitical landscape of Europe led Charles V into abdication. He spent the rest of his days in our lovely city of Granada, located within walking distance of Plaza de Bib-Rambla. For more on El Fuente de los Gigatones, see this link.

2. From Bazaar to Bonfire: The Plaza Bib-Rambla in the Age of Christianization

The Plaza de Bib-Rambla was comprised of bazaars, medieval jousts, and bullfights when Spain was under Muslim rule (711-1492). The city of Granada was the last city to see the Christian reconquest and thus, its capture in 1492 punctuated the end of the Reconquista. Historians have opined that Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, a royal official, used the Plaza de Bib-Rambla to burn 80,000 Arabic texts from the city’s first University (Madrasah of Granada). He falsely claimed them to be copies of the Qur’an. The Plaza was significantly expanded to best suit large-scale celebrations such as Corpus Christi (see below), which any tourist can attend in late May/June (for more on the celebrations of Granada, see this link).

The Christianization of the Plaza de Bib-Rambla paralleled another event in Spain that occurred after the Reconquista: The Spanish Inquisition. The inquisition was established with the authorization of Pope Sixtus IV in 1478 and aimed to find and punish “Conversos,” or those that converted from Judaism to Christianity and still secretly practiced Judaism. In reality, however, the inquisition targeted, punished, and even tortured ordinary conversos who did not secretly uphold their former religion. The Plaza de Bib-Rambla witnessed the executions of many of these converts in the days of the Inquisition.

3. Defining Spanish Identity: The Franco Period

Though significant for its Muslim and Christian history, the Plaza de Bib-Rambla also experienced more contemporary historical events too. During the Franco regime (1936-1975), missions were sent out in attempts to return to and reinforce Spanish identity through Catholicism following the divergent political ideologies that led to the Civil War (1936-1939). According to Historians, the Holy Mission in Granada occurred in October of 1949 and transformed the Plaza de Bib-Rambla with loudspeakers and Christian paraphernalia that extended the seemingly constant religious lectures of the Missionaries (Romero, Blanco, and Lopez covered this subject in their article “The Stability and Consolidation of the Francoist Regime“). Attendance at these gatherings numbered in the tens of thousands, highlighting the fact that Granada was consumed by religion in these years.

For more information on the Bib-Rambla and Granada as a whole, see the bibliography below and/or the further reading page.

Bibliography

Barceló Hotel Group. “Plaza de Bib-Rambla: a mirror of Granada’s age-old history.” Barceló Experiences 2024. https://www.barcelo.com/guia-turismo/en/spain/granada/things-to-do/plaza-bib-rambla/.

Dixon, Arthur. “Granada, Spain.” World Literature Today 89, no. 1 (Jan./Feb. 2015): 5. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7588/worllitetoda.89.1.0005.

Hernández, Javier. “Fountain of the Giants.” Granada por el Mundo. 2023. https://granadaporelmundo.com/fuente-de-los-gigantones/.

Romero, Cobo Francisco, Migeul Ángel Del Arco Blanco, and Teresa Maria Ortega Lopez. “The Stability and Consolidation of the Francoist Regime. The Case of Eastern Andalusia, 1936-1950.” Contemporary European History 20, no. 1 (Feb. 2011): 37-59. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41238342.

Rutter, Ian. “Corpus Christi in Granada.” Two South of Granada: A Travel and Lifestyle Blog from Andalucia. 2017. https://www.twosouthofgranada.com/home/2017/6/19/corpus-christi-in-granada.

The Alhambra, built between 1238 and 1358 at the behest of Muhammad I, founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, stands on an plateau overlooking the City of Granada. Originally designed as a military zone it was later served as the royal residence for the royal family of Granada.

The fortress’s name Alhambra has origins in Arabic, meaning “red castle or vermilion”

During the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries the fortress was made of 2 main areas; The Alcazaba, the Military area, and the Medina or Palatine city, which housed the Nasrid palaces and houses of nobles and other common folk.

When the city fell into Catholic hands in 1492 much of the interior was damaged or removed, after Charles I (Charles V) took the throne in 1516 he had portions of the fort rebuilt however he also had parts destroyed to make way for an Italianate Palace. In 1812 during the Peninsular War the French blew up several towers, in 1821 an Earthquake further destroyed portions of the fortress. In 1828 a major repair job was undertaken by José Contreras an endeavor that was later endowed by King Ferdinand VII in 1830. After the death of Contreras in 1847, his son Rafael took up the mantle of restoration until his death in 1890 where in his son Mariano Contreras Granja continued his families work.

For more information about the history of the Alhambra:
https://www.alhambra.org/en/alhambra-history.html

For more information on the Alhambra:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Alhambra-fortress-Granada-Spain