Granada, Spain
Coordinates: 37.178991, -3.592763
The Nasrids were the Muslim rulers of Granada starting with Muhammad I in 1231.
This Sultanate survived to be the last of the Islamic states of Spain, to fall eventually in 1492 after years of glory.
Built in the late 14th century, the Zafra House is a typical example of a small Nasrid palace.
The house is situated in the Albaycin (Ribad al-Bayyazin) area of Granada adjacent to the Alhambra.
The area’s Islamic past is recognisable in its warren of narrow whitewashed streets.
Numerous houses and lanes are still little changed and in the vicinity of the Zafra house can be found other interesting medieval buildings such as the El Bañuelo (Hamman al-Yauza) and the Nasrid House in the Lavadero de Santa Ines Street.
History
Not much is known about the history of the house pertaining to its Islamic epoch except for its period of construction and that it was used as the main living quarters of an important nasirid family.
It later became the property of Don Hernando de Zafra, secretary to the Catholic Kings and of his wife who drew up a will in 1507 expressing their wish that a convent for nuns should be founded.
In 1527, Don Fernando Zafra, son of Don Hernando, officially handed over the house to the convent. The original form of the house was kept unaltered throughout the years except for minor changes such as the closing of the original entrance and opening of a new one giving access to the adjacent monastic complex.
