The final assault upon Boabdil. Granada and Jaen

From the fortress at Alcalá la Real, of Moorish origin but conquered and reconquered many times, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella prepared their final assault upon Boabdil.

In 1481, the castle at Píñar was taken. In 1486, the fortress at Loja fell, in spite of being defended by the King of Granada himself. Subsequently, the castles of Illora, Modín and Montefrío also fell, in a difficult campaign during which the "Great Captain" distinguished himself.

After losing this important line of defence, the siege of Granada began. Not many years later, the Catholic monarchs took possession of La Alhambra fortress, the citadel and magnificent Nazari palaces, and Boabdil is obliged to go into exile.

Such things happen in wartime. UNESCO has declared the Alhambra "Patrimony of Mankind" for its significance in history and artistic value.

There are still two monasteries in Granada in use at the present time. San Jerónimo, founded by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella during the 16th century in the Gothic style, harbours the Renaissance work of Diego de Siloé. The Carthusian monastery, begun in 1516, is a good example of Andalusian Baroque, as personified by Francisco Hurtado. Near Granada, we come upon the castle of Nívar and the many defence towers dotted about this whole area.