Albaicín

quarter, Granada, Spain

Also known as: Albayzin

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The Albaicín is the oldest quarter of Granada, Spain, characterized by its narrow, cobbled streets and traditional Moorish houses known as cármenes. This historic district is situated on a hill across the Darro River from the famous Alhambra palace and fortress complex. The name Granada itself may derive from the Spanish word for pomegranate or from its Moorish name, Karnattah, possibly meaning "hill of strangers".12

The Albaicín was part of the Moorish kingdom of Granada and served as the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain before falling to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized for its historical significance and unique architecture.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Granada
…of the city is the Albaicín (Albayzin) quarter, the oldest section of Granada, with its narrow cobbled streets and cármenes (Moorish-style houses). Albaicín is bounded to the south by the Darro River, and on the other side of the river is the hill upon which stands the famous Moorish palace…
Read More
…of the city is the Albaicín (Albayzin) quarter, the oldest section of Granada, with its narrow cobbled streets and cármenes (Moorish-style houses). Albaicín is bounded to the south by the Darro River, and on the other side of the river is the hill upon which stands the famous Moorish palace…
Read More