PLAZA NUEVA, Granada

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These adjacent squares at the feet of the Alhambra are also de starting point to Albaicín and Sacromonte. The Carrera del Darro begins in this point. On the opposite direction, the river is canalized under the pavement.

There are two important buildings: Reales Chancillerías (Justice palace built in the XVI century) and the church of San Gil and Santa Ana. This Mudejar church was built in 1501 in the place of a mosque.

A tourist information office is on Plaza de Santa Ana.

Following the Carrera del Darro we can find some bridges over the Darro River.

Ignoring the altitude, the Plaza is technically between the two above spots. If you walk downhill from the Alhambra, you'd end up at the Plaza. Right behind the restaurants of the plaza lies the Albaicin. It's a good place to rest your feet, grab lunch (nice kebab restaurant) and watch buskers in front of the church. Not so appealing are teenagers sprawled on the grass smoking grass and looking quite dizzy.

My first encounter with this square was on the evening of May 3rd, during The Festival of The Crucifixes- It was crowded and full of life!

It felt like all the young people of Granada had gathered here to party- most were enjoying the festivities, armed with bottles of wine or cans of beer. Many were dancing, singing or just chatting/ laughing with their friends. Food stalls were doing good business, and music was blaring from loudspeakers. There was also a lot of litter!

Next morning I wandered into the square and it was as if I'd entered a different place- no litter, and people were going about their daily business.

In the square are fountains and pavement cafes, to pass a pleasant hour or so. It's a good spot for people watching! During the evenings, its' bars and clubs are popular

This is the area to catch buses to Sacremonte, Alhambra etc.

Lots of souvenir shops and food shops surround the square, as well as travel offices etc.
The building at the end of the square with flags outside is the Royal Chancellery, partly built in 1530, by Diego de Siloe, behind this building, a prison was built, and was in use from the 17th to 19th century, it is now the High Court.

Originally, Plaza Nueva was built to cover The River Darro, that flowed through the city, to help prevent flooding and create more space for the city. It has been an arena for bull fights, jousting and public executions.

Real Chancilleria, the Royal Chancellery, is located in Plaza Nueva and, like the adjoining Church of Santa Ana and Saint Gil, it was designed by the architect Diego de Siloe. This impressive building dates back to 1530. At the rear, in the 17th century, a prison was added. The prison remained in used until the end of the 19th century.

The building today is no longer a chancellery, nor a prison - but it is somehow connected. It is now a house of justice: the seat of the Granada's High Court. The building can be visited from 8 Am to 2 Pm on workdays.

This is tourist central for Granada. This plaza is located near the path to the Alhambra, so all tourists end up here at least once, if not actually stay here the whole time they’re in Granada. The plaza contains nice views of the Alhambra and has an interesting church. Otherwise, its surrounded by souvenir stores and overpriced restaurants. A walk from this plaza up along the river gives nice views of the Alhambra and goes by a quieter and more interesting part of the city. It was built shortly after the Moors were defeated by Isabella and Ferdinand, who wanted to build a new center of the city (hence the name).

Real Chancillería (Royal Chancery) was built in 1500 and exhibits the earliest influences of Italian Baroque architecture in Spain. Today, it houses the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Andalucía. The edifice is located between Plaza Nueva and Plaza Santa Ana.

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If you want to while away some time watching the comings and goings of Granada folk, sit yourself at one of the many cafe/restaurants in Plaza Nueva. This is prime tourist area so don't expect outstanding food but meals served are ok and not over-priced.....some even give you a plate of complimentary tapas too. Although some renovation work is going on west of the square, this doesnt detract too much from the sunny, bustling setting.

The Plaza Nueva is in the center of many of the main attractions in Granada. It's just down the hill from the Alhambra and the little buses that take you up to the ticket office leave from a stop across the street at the corner of Calle Cuesta de Gomerez and Carrera del Darro which runs along the Rio Darro and marks the eastern edge of the Albayzin which branches out from the Plaza to the west and north. Just a couple of blocks to the south is the Gran Via de Colon, a main artery into and out of the heart of Granada. Just south of the Gran Via de Colon are the cathedral and the Capilla Real. The Realejo district emanates to the east of the plaza.

The Plaza Nueva has many eateries and lots of tables and chairs where one can relax and take in the sights and sounds of this old world city. So get a tinto de verano and sit under an umbrella and sit for a spell!