La Madraza, Granada's former university
2 min read
Written by official guides
La Madraza stands in the heart of Granada's historic centre, very close to the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel. It was founded in the 14th century by the Nasrid sultan Yusuf I as a madrasa, that is, as an institution of higher Islamic learning: the university of Muslim Granada.
It's one of the most singular stops in the city centre thanks to the preservation of its oratory, with a Nasrid coffered ceiling that still marks the Islamic presence today, right in the middle of the Christian old town.
What survives inside
The most recognisable feature is the oratory, with its original Nasrid coffered ceiling, preserved inside the building to this day. It's one of the few spaces of its kind still standing in central Granada, outside the Alhambra complex.
On the outside, the building is notable for its trompe-l'œil façade, a decorative painting technique that creates the illusion of architectural features that don't actually exist, the same technique used on other buildings in Granada's historic centre dating from the centuries after the conquest.
From Islamic school to seat of the University of Granada
After the Christian conquest of 1492, the building changed use several times over the centuries but kept its connection to education: today it belongs to the University of Granada, which uses it as an institutional and cultural space.
Opening hours
The usual opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 9 pm, and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 pm and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. It's closed on Sundays. Since it belongs to the University of Granada, it may also be closed during non-term periods (holidays, exam season), so it's worth checking before you go.
Where it is and what's nearby
La Madraza is just a few steps from the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the Alcaicería, the old silk market. It's common to visit it as part of the same stroll through the historic centre that takes in these three sights, since they're all within easy walking distance of one another.
Book your guided tour
Want to see it with an official guide telling you in person?