Alcaicería of Granada facts for kids
The Alcaicería is a famous market street in the old part of Granada, Spain. It's built where a very old market, called a bazaar, used to be. That's where its name comes from! The first market was built a long time ago, when Granada was ruled by the Nasrid dynasty (from the 1200s to the 1400s). Sadly, a big fire destroyed the original market in 1843. But don't worry, it was rebuilt into the beautiful place you see today.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of Alcaicería
Early Days: When Granada Grew
This part of Granada became important in the 11th century. This was during the Zirid period, when the city's Great Mosque was built here. Today, the Granada Cathedral stands in its place. At first, this area was mostly open land. It had a large estate called an almunia, owned by the Zirid rulers. Building the Great Mosque helped the city grow in this direction. It was also where the city's first big markets started.
The Nasrid Era: A Busy Market Hub
As Granada grew during the Nasrid period, this area became the city's main shopping spot. The Nasrid rulers invested a lot in it. This is when the Alcaicería market truly began. A ruler named Yusuf I (who ruled from 1333 to 1354) made it even more important. He built a school called a madrasa (the Madrasa al-Yusufiyya) nearby. He also built a guesthouse for traders, called a caravanserai (the Funduq al-Jadida). He also improved the Alcaicería market itself.
A large part of the area around the Great Mosque was filled with markets, known as souqs, and other shops. To the northeast of the mosque was a square. Here, you could find perfume sellers and notaries. Between this square and the Darro River was the most important market. It was called al-Saqqāṭīn. Even though its name meant "secondhand clothes sellers," it had many different businesses. You could find silversmiths, shoemakers, and shops selling small sewing items. Closer to the river, markets sold food. Shops were grouped by what they sold. Many guesthouses for traders, called funduq or alhóndiga, were built. These places stored goods and offered rooms for merchants from other places.
The Special Alcaicería Market
Among all these markets, the Alcaicería (al-qaysariyya) was very special. It was owned directly by the Nasrid rulers. It was locked and guarded every night. This market sold silk and other very valuable goods. The Nasrid government collected higher taxes on these items. The Alcaicería was located southwest of the Great Mosque. It covered a large area, about 4,600 square meters (about 49,500 square feet). Today, it's surrounded by Libreros, Oficios, Tinte, and Zacatín streets, and Bibarrambla Square. To the south, a bridge over the Darro River, called al-Qanṭara al-Jadīda, led to the state-owned Funduq al-Jadida.
After the Conquest: Changes and Rebuilding
After the Christian rulers took over Granada in 1492, the Alcaicería became property of the Spanish crown. They continued to manage it as a guarded market. Its official name was the Royal Site and Stronghold of the Alcaicería. A map from 1787 shows how the market was laid out. It had many streets that crossed each other. It also had up to 152 shops!
Sadly, a big fire destroyed the market in 1843. When it was rebuilt, it was made much smaller. It was also built in a different style, called Neo-Moorish. This style tried to look like the old Nasrid buildings. The rebuilding made the Alcaicería smaller. Many of its tiny inner streets were removed. This allowed for bigger apartment buildings to be created.
See also
In Spanish: Alcaicería de Granada para niños
