GRANADA, a city of Spain, and capital of the province or kingdom of that name, in Andalusia. It is situated partly in the celebrated plain called the Vega de Granada, and partly on the declivity of a hill whose summit is covered with that massive pile of buildings called the Alhambra, of which a description may be seen under that article. The rivers Xeni and Darro have their rise in the mountains, and pass through the city; the former is a clear, and at times a small stream, but the latter is a mountain torrent, at some periods almost destitute of water, and at others overflowing its banks, and producing extensive inundations. After traversing the plain, both streams unite and force their way into the Guadalquivir. Many of the streets of Granada are steep, most of them are narrow, and all of them are ill paved. No object can be more strikingly beautiful at a few miles distance than this city, but the appearance on entering it by no means corresponds to the distant impressions.
The market-place or great square is spacious and well proportioned. The houses have piazzas, which afford shelter from the heat of the sun; but the want of glass windows, and the substitution of red shutters, give them a mean appearance. The cathedral is a very large and splendid but irregular building, having been formed by throwing into one edifice three contiguous churches. The high altar, the pulpits, and the choir, are fine groups, and beautifully adorned with some of the finest specimens of variegated and highly polished marble that has been found in this vicinity. It has within it two fine monuments, one to the memory of Philip I., the other to that of Ferdinand and Isabella; and it is adorned with some pictures from the pencil of that celebrated artist Alonzo Cano, which, though disgusting to Protestants from the sacred objects they represent, yet possess exquisite merit as paintings. There are some fine statues executed by the same artist, who was a sculptor as well as a painter. The vice-regal palace, in which is the supreme court of justice for the province, is an extensive and splendid building; but its effect is destroyed by having houses so close as to prevent
a proper view of it. The palace of the archbishop is a very large pile, but of no particular beauty, though, as having been the scene of the adventures of Gil Blas, in the work of Le Sage, which every one has read, it is generally inquired for and noticed by travellers.
The city of Granada contains at present 66,660 inhabitants, who are generally a more industrious people than the other natives of Spain. The activity of the Moors, if not their blood, has been left behind them; and, in spite of the bad maxims of the court of Madrid, this city displays considerable industry in many arts and manufactures. The woollen manufactories employ about 7000 persons of the two sexes, and afford cloths, serges, baizes, and stuffs, but not in sufficient quantities for the consumption of the surrounding district, the deficiency being supplied by importation through the port of Malaga. The whole of the silk which the plain yields is made in this city into taffetas, satins, ribbons, and similar goods; and, besides their own produce, silk in some years is brought from Valencia to be used in this place. There are manufactories of linen, sail-cloth, and a very small one of cotton. The sail-cloths are estimated as of most excellent quality, and are but little subject to the mildew in the most humid climate. Iron and steel are made here into the various smaller articles required for domestic and agricultural purposes. The Carthusian convent is an extensive establishment; and the fathers possess several farms, which they cultivate themselves; and some other of the religious foundations are very rich. Institutions for education are upon a low scale; and most of those destined for the learned profession receive their instruction either in the universities of Seville or Alcala. From the locality of this city, it is remarkably healthy. The vicinity of the Sierra Nevada, from which cool breezes blow in the midst of summer, tends to give a freshness to the atmosphere, even in the dog-days; and, considering the productions, the climate, and the beautiful streams, it is not wonderful that the Moors long looked back with fond regret to the delightful spot from which, after an obstinate resistance, they were at length most reluctantly driven.