Plaza Nueva and the Ascent of Cuesta de Gomérez
Why is it significant?
Pause in the lively expanse of Plaza Nueva, Granada's oldest public square, laid out in the early sixteenth century directly over the vaulted subterranean bed of the river Darro.
Key Facts
| Place | Plaza Nueva and the Ascent of Cuesta de Gomérez |
|---|---|
| Address | Plaza Nueva s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain |
| Geo Coordinates | 37.17690, -3.59600 |
| Part of Walk | The Alhambra and Generalife: Nasrid Palaces, Fortress and Royal Gardens |
| Generated | Generated |
Pause in the lively expanse of Plaza Nueva, Granada's oldest public square, laid out in the early sixteenth century directly over the vaulted subterranean bed of the river Darro. Facing you rises the monumental Renaissance facade of the Real Chancillería or Royal Chancery, established by the Catholic Monarchs in 1505 as the supreme court of justice for all of southern Spain. Designed with elegant classical columns and marble balustrades by Francisco del Castillo, this monumental civic building established Spanish royal authority over the newly reconquered Moorish kingdom. The open plaza was paved directly over the vaulted underground channel of the river Darro in the sixteenth century, creating a spacious public forum for civic celebrations, market fairs, and judicial gatherings.
Look up towards the southern ridge: high above the rooftops, the reddish ramparts and stone bastions of the Alhambra rise like a formidable cliff edge against the Andalusian sky. To your right opens the steep, shaded incline of Cuesta de Gomérez, lined with artisan workshops of master guitar makers who have hand-carved classical flamenco guitars from aged rosewood and spruce for centuries, filling the cobblestone street with the fragrant scents of cedar shavings and shellac varnish.
Beneath the stone flags where you stand, the river Darro still flows through a monumental brick vault constructed in 1515 to create a spacious public plaza for tournaments and markets. Before this engineering feat, narrow Moorish footbridges spanned the river canyon, linking the lower medina with the bustling merchant quarters of the Albaicín.
Listen closely beside the street drains: on quiet mornings you can clearly hear the rush of the river Darro flowing beneath your feet towards the Genil.
Begin climbing the shaded incline of Cuesta de Gomérez, passing traditional luthier workshops until you arrive at the imposing Gate of the Pomegranates.