The pre-eminence of the Visigoths in general and in Granada, in particular, was quite short lived – no more than 200 years – and the town was conquered by Tariq, a Moorish Caliph in 711 AD finally succumbed to Moorish control in 713.  The Arabs named the town llbira and, under Moorish control, the town expanded steadily for some 300 years until a series of conflicts between different Arab clans in 1010 almost result in its destruction.  Happily, the conflicts were resolved in 1013 and dominance of different parts of the peninsula by different families was formally recognised.  The Ziries dynasty declared independence from Morocco and formed their own kingdom based in the town now named Grnata.  The Ziries remained in control for some 200 years and early on decided they could better protect the town by moving its centre from the Sierra Elvira (now on the road between Granada and Illora) to Albaizin.

The even greater significance of the Nazrid period, however, was the contruction and development of the Alhambra and Generalife – a combined fortress to protect the city and palace for where the monarchs and their entourages could relax and hold court in true Moorish style.  A separate page will be added on the fascinating history of the Alhambra castle and palace.  At this time what is now the old part of the city – Albaizin and Sacremento – were extensively developed creating the labyrinth of streets and houses we can still see fully today largely occupied by the merchants as well as by the servants and trades people who thrived from the existence of the Alhambra and lived in its shadow.

The form of alliance created between the Nazrid king Ibn al-Ahmar with King Ferdianand III of Spain in the 13^th century ensured a sometimes uneasy but peaceful existence for the kingdom whilst the rest of Moorish Spain was progressively re-conquered.  However, this came to an end on 2^nd of January 1492 when, after an extended siege, the then Nazrid king finally conceded to the armies of King Ferdinand (of Castille) and Queen (Isabella of Aragon) and the Catholic monarch moved into Granada and made the Alhambra their home.