The Madrasah or Madraza - the First 13th-Century University in Granada

What is the Madrasa? The Madrasa of Granada (Madraza in Spanish) was the first public university of Al Andalus and later became the first town hall of Granada.


The Madrasa of Granada was founded by Yusuf I in 1349 and reflects the elegance and splendor of the era.

Mathematics, medicine and law were taught there by such illustrious figures as Ibn al-Khatib and Ibn Zamrak, whose poems decorate the walls and fountains of the Alhambra.

Located in the center of Granada, on Oficios Street, it is the only building of the period that remains standing, in what was one of the most emblematic areas of the Nasrid Granada: the suburb of the Great Mosque.

A Glimpse into History of the Madrasah

The name Madrasa comes from the Arabic word "madrasah" (المدرسة), which means Koranic school or university.

Ferdinand II of Aragon gave the building to the Casa del Cabildo (Town Hall) in 1500, after rich collections of the library were destroyed by Cisneros in the Plaza Bib-Rambla in one of the largest book bonfires in European history.

Since then, it has undergone complete transformation until it attained its current Baroque appearance in 1722, when the remains of the Arab building were demolished.

Until 1841 it housed the Town Hall, also known as the Old Town Hall, and was finally recovered by the State in 1943.

It is currently part of the University of Granada and is the seat of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Nuestra Señora de las Angustias.

What to See in the Madrasa?

From the Nasrid period the oratory with a beautiful mihrab with its octoganal dome has been preserved, although it has had to be restored several times due to deterioration.

The remains of its magnificent white marble façade are preserved in the city's Archaeological Museum.

The façade today is Baroque in style, displaying the emblems of the Catholic Monarchs and sumptuous balconies.

On the upper floor is the Salón de Caballeros XXIV (Knights' Hall), where the councillors of the Town Hall used to meet.

The valuable painting of the Virgin of the Rose, which was first housed in the Cathedral and later in Puerta de Bib Rambla, is preserved here.

Also noteworthy is the beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling of the hall from the same period.

Note: if a woman offers you a sprig of rosemary at the entrance to the Cathedral, don't accept it; she may say it's free, but then asks for 5-10 euros.

Opening Hours and Entrance Fee to the Madrasa, Year 2025

Entrance Fee to the Madrasa

Madrasa Opening Hours

How to Get to Madraza and Contact Details

The Madraza is situated at the heart of Granada in Calle Oficios, near the Cathedral, in front of the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real).

You can reach the Madraza by the city bus:

1) You can take lines 4, 8, 11, 21, 33 (from the bus station), and get off at the 'La Catedral' stop.

2) Or catch lines C30 (from Alhambra) o C35 (from Alhambra o Realejo), and get off at 'Plaza Isabel Catolica'.

Telephone: 958 996 350.

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