A WALK TO THE FUENTE DEL AVELLANO

A nice walk to the Fuente del Avellano is also a part of our Spanish classes!

Paseo de los Tristes literally means Promenade of the Sad. This square runs parallel to the River Darro and owes its name to the fact that funeral corteges used to pass through here on their way up to the cemetery behind the Alhambra.

Both the square and the original fountain were built in 1609 when the area was redesigned and it has always been a very lively place. In times gone by, fiestas and celebrations would be held here and at one time the River Darro itself was covered over with boards to act as a stage for small bullfights.

The first bridge you reach is called "Puente de las Chirimias" or the "Pipers' Bridge" and although there may have originally been an Arab bridge in this same spot, the bridge you can see today was rebuilt in 1882.

Next to it is a small, three-storey square house (also built in 1609) which sheltered the musicians who played at the various celebrations. The bottom floor was used by bailiffs and minor officials, and the town council would occupy the second floor, with the musicians on the top floor. It was later sold in the 18th century, and used for accommodation. It has now been restored and is the headquarters for the Historical and Cultural Association of Granada.

At the end of the square there is another bridge: the Puente del Aljibillo and refers to the aljibe or water cistern that used to exist on the promenade on the other side of the river.

If you cross over the bridge you can take a left and go for a walk along the Camino del Avellano to the Fuente del Avellano. This walk offers some magnificent views of the Sacromonte and Albaicín areas. The fountain was also the meeting place for a literary group headed by Angel Ganivet.