Alcaiceria in Granada – an Ancient Arab Market near the Cathedral

The Alcaicería street is located next to the Cathedral, running from Plaza Alonso Cano to Ermita street. It is a commercial area full of small shops, mostly dedicated to the sale of souvenirs and handicrafts from Granada.


The entire neighborhood of Alcaiceria was once an Arab marketplace but was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1843.

Why is it called Calamara?

Its name comes from the Arabic word 'al-qaysariya', which means a commercial institution.

It is also said to be related to the name of Caesar, to whom the Arabs were grateful for allowing them to trade in silk.

A Bit of History

The Alcaicería was founded in the 14th century next to the Great Mosque during the time of Muhammad V.

It was accessed through nine doors, which were closed at night to protect it.

It was a closed and well-protected marketplace owned by the monarch after the conquest, where taxes were collected, and high-priced goods were sold: silk, silverware, and sumptuous clothing, the sale of which was prohibited outside the market.

It was closed at night with solid doors, and only the warden and the guards remained inside. In the 16th century, it had almost 200 small shops.

In the 17th century, significant changes took place, and all kinds of silk, woven and hank, gold, cloth, linen, and other goods were sold in the Alcaicería.

Its governor's guards watched over it with dogs at night, opened it during the daytime, and took care of its cleanliness.

At night, not only were all the establishments closed, but also the surrounding houses shut their doors with bars to prevent theft. The guard went on a thorough round, leaving only two of them inside, along with the warden and the dogs.

In the 18th century, the silk industry experienced a setback, and some shops were left unrented.

The enclosure was divided into two parts: one with the silk wholesale markets or shops, and the other with the jellies, customs, and their offices.

Thus, liners, scribes, and other shops unrelated to the art of silk were set up—an emblematic place that you will not forget.

How to get there and where is the Alcaicería located?

City buses on lines 4, 8, 11, 21, 33, C31, C32, C34 pass through Gran Vía, which is next to Calleja del Pañuelo.

It is located in the historical center of Granada, next to the famous Bib Rambla square, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, and a network of narrow streets.

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