Alcaiceria in Granada – an Ancient Arab Market near the Cathedral



The Alcaicería was founded in the 14th century next to the Great Mosque in the time of Muhammad V. It was accessed through nine doors that were closed at night to protect it.

It was closed at night with solid doors, and inside only the warden and the guards remained. In the 16th century it had almost 200 small shops.
In the 17th century significant changes took place, all kinds of silk, woven and hank, gold, cloth, linen and other goods were sold in the Alcaicería.

At night, not just all the establishments were closed but also the surrounding houses shutted their doors with bars to prevent theft, and the guard went on a thorough round, leaving only two of them inside and the warden with the dogs.
In the 18th century the silk culture suffered a setback and some shops were not rented.
The enclosure was divided into two parts: one, with the silk wholesale markets or shops, and the other, with the jellies, the customs and their offices.

How to get there and where is the Alcaicería located?
Lines 4, 8, 11, 21, 33, C31, C32, C34 of the city buses pass through Gran Vía, which is next to Alcaicería street.It is located in the historical center of Granada, next to the famous Bib Rambla square, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, and its network of narrow streets, its beautiful decoration and its form reminds us that we are in the old souk or Arab market.
Page Updated: August 14, 2020
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