Granada originated from the Iberian and Roman settlement of Iliberis, but its monumental identity was forged by Islamic civilization. Becoming a capital in the 11th century, it reached the height of its splendor under the Nasrid dynasty (1238-1492), which transformed the Sabika hill into the Alhambra citadel, a masterpiece of light and geometry and the final Muslim stronghold in Spain.

The pivotal turning point occurred on January 2, 1492, with the city’s surrender to the Catholic Monarchs, marking the end of the Reconquista. However, the definitive transformation was realized by Emperor Charles V in the 16th century. Enamored with the city yet eager to assert imperial power, he commissioned a majestic Renaissance palace directly within the heart of the delicate Nasrid architecture, creating a globally unique stylistic contrast that symbolizes the meeting and clash of two civilizations.