Maristán nazarí, Medieval Islamic hospital ruins in Albaicin, Spain.
The Maristan nazari was a rectangular building organized around a central courtyard where water features and open galleries created the main spaces. The structure contained rooms for different purposes connected by covered walkways and open areas.
The ruler Muhammad V created this healing place in the 14th century as a space to care for the sick and injured. After Christian forces took control of Granada, the building was repurposed and its original function disappeared.
The place served patients from all backgrounds and employed doctors who worked with different healing approaches suited to each person's needs. The design emphasized how water and open spaces could support recovery.
The ruins are located in the Albaicín neighborhood, where narrow streets and hillside paths connect different historical spots. Wearing comfortable walking shoes is important because the ground is uneven and the terrain slopes.
The courtyard held a large pool with steps where patients could enter the water as it flowed from fountains shaped like lions. This feature combined practical bathing with therapeutic purpose.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.