El Bañuelo Granada

Visit the 11th Century Arab Baths of Granada

El Bañuelo (Arab baths) Granada: Everything about El Bañuelo, the old Arab bathhouse in Granada's El Albaícin district.

El Bañuelo, an Arab bathhouse in Granada

El Bañuelo, or the Arab baths in Granada. This is the oldest and best preserved Arab public bath, or hammam, in Andalusia. The baths date back to the 11th century during the Moorish conquest. At the time, this was an important place to wash up, but also to maintain social contact. Most public baths were demolished after the reconquering by the Christians, which makes this building unique. The Christians viewed the Moorish baths as brothels; however, this public bath was built above a house, which saved it from demolition.

^{El Bañuelo in Granada}

^{The Arab Baths of Granada}

Three rooms of El Bañuelo

The Arab baths consist of three rooms. At the entrance, you will first see the 'cold chamber' (frigidarium), next to that the slightly larger and arched 'warm chamber' (tepidarium). The most important room is the 'hot chamber' (caldarium) with the real baths. This room is beautifully decorated with arches, pillars and marble. Another striking feature are the star-shaped apertures in the ceiling for light and ventilation in the El Bañuelo baths.

Where is El Bañuelo in Granada?

Also close by:

Albayzin

Plaza Nueva

Paseo de los Tristes

Alhambra