At the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and a mere hour away from the Mediterranean coast lies the wonderful city of Granada.  Surrounded by the incomparable natural beauty of the mountains and the luxuriant fields and woodlands of the Genil River flood plain, Granada is the ideal place to hold conferences or meetings thanks to its hotel facilities, efficient communication and transportation network, cultural attractions and the unique opportunity to visit both the highest mountain peaks in the Iberian Peninsula (altitude above 3,000 m) and the well known beaches of the Costa del Sol all within a radius of less than 60 km.

The name Granada has deep roots in mystery and is a source of fascination for many. It means “great castle” which many claim to stand for the once believed to be indestructible Roman fortress that stood atop the Albacin Hill, and many believe it to be a loose relation to the name “Garnat – al – Yahud” after the many Jews that inhabited the city under the hand of the Romans.  Through its history Granada has been open to different cultures, people and beliefs so is a cresol of cultures and a perfect venue for the International Course on Pain Medicine where all interested participants, regardless of political, religious or ethnic origin will feel like at home.

Orginally settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, Granada was a roman colony later home to the cultural revolution of the Arabs who invaded in the 8th century and gave Granada the name we now know it by. The city of Granada was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, and this is evident in the art, design, and architecture of even modern day Granada.  

The most notorious and wondrous aspect of Granada is undoubtedly the Alhambra.  The Alhambra is a series of gorgeous palaces and breathtaking gardens is situated atop the highest mountain range in Spain, overlooking the city below and the vast expanse that is Granada.  Amid the gardens and palaces is the massive Palace of Charles V, alongside an array of Christian monuments such as the Royal Chapel, and the burial sites of Isabel and Ferdinand who conquered it and turned it into a Christian Court. With all this, the Alhambra still contains artistic and architectural elements of the Muslim culture, including reception salons, the royal apartments Chamber of the Lions, and the spacious bath houses typical of Arab design.

Facing the Alhambra is the Old Moorish Casbah, which is an intricately woven series of labrynths serving as the streets of the old city. The Sacromonte hill, which overlooks the city from the North, is most famous for its cave dwellings, which were once the home of Granada's large gypsy community.  The Old Quarter of Granada (Parte Vieja) and the Albayzin district are praised worldwide for their rich Moorish culture, and modern-day atmosphere.

 Granada’s past intertwines majestically with it’s future, as more than anything it is known as one of the foremost ‘university’ towns, with a quarter of it’s population being a part of the illustrious old university located in the city center. The University is considered one of the foremost higher education institutions in Spain and its academic and cultural influence is clearly felt throughout the city. It is precisely for these reasons and many many more that we are sure you will enjoy your time at the conference and in Granada!