Alcaicería

"A few metres from Granada Cathedral is one of the most charming areas of the city: the Alcaicería. This narrow street with several forks is located in the part occupied during the Muslim domination by the silk souk (a traditional market typical of North Africa). This old Arab market enjoyed great popularity during the Nasrid period, when merchants who stayed at the Corral del Carbón came to trade silk, spices and other highly valued goods. The Alcaicería was delimited by nine gates that were closed at night and were protected by guards who ensured the safety of objects from almost 200 shops. In the mid-19th century, a fire caused by a matchstick shop destroyed the souk and the market had to be rebuilt. Today, the Alcaicería comprises a long, narrow street decorated with Granada lamps that leads to a small square from which other narrow streets branch off. The purpose of building the streets so narrow was to prevent robberies, since the thief could not get very far without someone stopping him."

"Back in the Moorish days, this was the home of the Great Bazaar of Granada - a large market that ran between Plaza Nueva and Plaza Bib-Rambla, where merchants sold Arabic silks, spices, and other goods. The Alcaiceria is much smaller now, but still keeps its original layout and look!"