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.