Casa de Zafra (House of Zafra), Granada

Casa de Zafra (House of Zafra), Granada

Found at the heart of the historical Albaicin neighborhood, the House of Zafra (Casa de Zafra) is probably the best way to acquaint oneself with the Arab lifestyle in Granada under the Muslim rule. This 14th-century Moorish property, once owned by an aristocratic Andalusian family, has maintained its Arab essence, with many original features still in place. In large part this was possible thanks to the altitude and orography of the Albaicin area, renowned for its winding, narrow and often dead-end streets, which made it easy to withstand contemporary urban reforms.

After the Christian conquest of Granada, Catholic Queen Isabel gave several palatial-type houses, including this one, to her Secretary, Don Hernando de Zafra, as a prebend for his services. After the death of Don Hernando and his wife, the property was donated to the convent of Santa Catalina de Siena, thence popularly known as the Convent of Zafra.

As part of the convent, the Moorish House of Zafra has survived, almost intact, until the early 20th century. In 1931 the entire Convent of Zafra was declared a historic and artistic monument. In 1946 the mayor of Granada acquired the house for the city council, upon which it underwent several restorations, with the latest one being in 2010-2012.

In 1985 the house was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. Typically of most Arab dwellings, it shows a stark contrast between the relatively simple exterior and the elaborately decorated interior, intended to conceal the comforts of the home, including courtyard with the pool, from strange eyes. The courtyard façades, in turn, reveal unique decorative patterns on arches, columns and polychrome plaster works.

Today, the House of Zafra accommodates Albaycín Visitor Centre, and can be visited for free.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Granada. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Casa de Zafra (House of Zafra) on Map

Sight Name: Casa de Zafra (House of Zafra)
Sight Location: Granada, Spain (See walking tours in Granada)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Granada, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Granada

Create Your Own Walk in Granada

Creating your own self-guided walk in Granada is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Albayzín Walking Tour

Albayzín Walking Tour

The Moorish quarter of Albaycín is a world of its own inside Granada. Mainly, this is due to a strong Islamic vibe still present in the area. The city's oldest district was established by Arabs in the 11th century and to date has retained much of its original charm, manifested in the neat maze of narrow Medieval lanes, shady, intimate courtyards and squares, plus a multitude of well-kept,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Granada's Architectural Jewels

Granada's Architectural Jewels

Over the course of centuries, Granada's architecture has been influenced by four major styles – Moorish, Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque. The city’s most impressive buildings date from the period of Arabic rule and the subsequent Catholic epoch which started after the Moors were displaced in 1492.

From the dazzling majesty of the Alhambra to the awe-inspiring churches and the subtly...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Alhambra Walking Tour

Alhambra Walking Tour

One of the first places a tourist wants to visit in Granada is Alhambra, the region’s most iconic sight. By far not a typically Spanish attraction, this enormous fortress encompasses palaces, gardens, courtyards, and is the greatest surviving relic of Andalusia’s 800 years of Moorish rule. The sprawling complex sits forbiddingly atop the Darro valley, against a dramatic backdrop of the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Granada Introduction Walking Tour

Granada Introduction Walking Tour

The story of the city of Granada does not properly begin until the Umayyad conquest of 711 AD. The Iberian peninsula fell under Moorish rule that would last 700 years and the Jewish settlement of Garnata al-Jahud grew to become Granada of Al-Andalus.

The long Reconquest of Spain finally ended when the Emirate of Granada was ceded by Mohammad XII to the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles