Plaza Isabel La Católica, Granada

The Plaza Isabel La Católica is a popular public square in the heart of Granada. It is named after Queen Isabella, one of the Catholic monarchs that conquered the city, who is celebrated in many of Granada’s public buildings and churches. In the center of the square, a monument depicts the queen with great Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus. Designed by Mariano Benlliure and formed from stone and bronze, it depicts Columbus presenting the plans for his voyage to the West to Queen Isabella. Constructed in 1892, it originally stood in the Paseo del Salon, before moving here in 1962.

On one side of the square, you will find one of Granada’s better modern buildings. An office and apartment block with wooden paneling, it was designed by local architects Alvarez, Gomez and Ridruejo Brieva in the 1970s. The lower floors belong to Santander bank, whilst the upper floors are residential. There is a mezzanine level in the middle, designed as a public square. The plaza is best known for the city’s famous Holy Week celebrations, when around a dozen different processions pass through the square. Centrally located, the plaza is an ideal place to watch the festivities, with processions each evening during Holy Week.