Granada<\/a> remains one of the finest examples. From the Alhambra to the Generalife Gardens, and the iconic Albaic\u00edn, the Nasrid city is filled with cultural gems. Some, like the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo<\/b>, are less famous yet equally fascinating. \n<\/span><\/p>\n \nLocated in the historic Realejo district\u2014known in Al-Andalus times as Rabad al-Fajjarin\u2014this former palace belonged to Queen Aixa, mother of Boabdil, the last sultan of the Nasrid Kingdom. Its history is closely tied to key moments in Granada\u2019s transformation. \n<\/span><\/p>\n \nBuilt in the 13th century, the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo is one of the few surviving examples of residential architecture from that era in Granada. It later inspired parts of the Alhambra and became one of Queen Isabella I\u2019s most desired residences after the Catholic Monarchs took the city<\/b>. \n<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nThe palace features a central hall, or qubba, and a tall tower overlooking the lush gardens that once surrounded the complex. Elegant arches carved with Arabic inscriptions and golden tiles\u2014hallmarks of Nasrid splendor\u2014turn this into a true palace for the senses. It reveals a side of Granada that is exotic, vibrant, and often overlooked. \n<\/span><\/p>\nLesser-Known Islamic Buildings in Spain<\/b><\/h2>\n \nThe Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo is just one of many sites that reflect the influence of Islam in Spain<\/b>. Another fine example is the route of Alicante\u2019s castles, a chain of fortresses built during the Nasrid period in the Levante region. \n<\/span><\/p>\n \nWe could also highlight the Aljafer\u00eda in Zaragoza, a fortress-palace evoking the elegance of a Muslim alc\u00e1zar, or the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz in Toledo, a gem that recalls the splendor of the Caliphate of C\u00f3rdoba. \n<\/span><\/p>\nThe Hidden Passages of the Alhambra<\/b><\/h2>\n \nAnother way to uncover the mysteries of Islamic Spain<\/b> is by exploring the Alhambra through its little-known secret passages. Beneath the hill of La Sabika, a network of tunnels once connected different parts of the fortress. \n<\/span><\/p>\n \nMany are now closed to the public, yet historians have revealed their purpose. Beyond the romantic tales worthy of One Thousand and One Nights<\/b>, these underground spaces were used to store grain and seeds, hold prisoners awaiting exchange, or serve as private rooms for Sultan Muhammad V and his guards. Some were escape routes in case of invasion, and one led directly to the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo<\/b>. \n<\/span><\/p>\n \nGranada still lives under the spell of its past. Visiting the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo is one of the most fascinating ways to step back in time and experience history from every angle. \n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Granada is home to some of Spain\u2019s most captivating heritage treasures. Among them, the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo stands out\u2014a true ode to Islamic Spain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3586,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-places"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo in Granada | Hammam Granada<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n