Realejo

My piso is in the Realejo neighborhood of Granada, which is the old Jewish Quarter of the City. The neighborhood is a labyrinth of calles, placetas (little plazas) & narrow callejons where overhanging balconies nearly touch. It's quite easy turn yourself around & end up somewhere unexpected; getting lost is a great to explore new places. Fortunately, with the mountains to the east, the Albyzin to the west & the Alhambra & Cathedral as landmarks, it's easy to re-orient & find your way back.

The neighborhood has been dubbed the barrio de giras (tourist neighborhood) because there are lots of expatriates & tourists staying in Realejo. However, it's still very charming y es mucho mas tranquilo que el centro o albyzin (the old muslim quarter). I'll just have to ignore the occasional local muttering "gira" under their breath while walking past me...

Promenade on Carrera del Genil

small local shops, each selling their specialized items

They've got Brompton's @ my local bike shop!

...La Panaderia...

...La Fruteria...

polychromatic spices

My local eco-tienda

A major landmark in Realejo is the Iglesia de Santo Domingo. It's a beautiful church, but its presence carries some dark overtones from the time of the Inquisition.

When Ferdinand and Isabella conquered the last Moorish territory in Granada, they launched a campaign to ensure that Spain would be thoroughly Christian, often using cruel measures; Muslims and Jews were forced to convert or otherwise face exile, imprisonment, or worse. Where the Iglesia de Santo Domingo is now was originally a synagogue, which was destroyed and replaced with the church. For the Christians who came to power in Granada, doing this was a way of sending the message that there would be no place for Jews in the new Spain.