After the New Year’s celebrations, the Spanish calendar marks a date of great historical significance this Friday, January 2, 2026.
Although the Executive establishes 14 official holidays per year, there are days like this one that, without being national holidays, mobilize thousands of people to commemorate events that defined the identity of the country: the Taking of Granada.
The end of the Reconquest and the beginning of an era
The January 2 commemorates the surrender of the Nasrid city to the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, in the year 1492. This event is much more than a date in the textbooks; it symbolizes the closing of the Reconquest, a process of almost eight centuries, and the unification of the peninsular kingdoms under a single crown.
The fall of the last Muslim stronghold in the Iberian Peninsula not only transformed the political structure of Spain, but also marked a turning point in the history of Europe, giving way to modernity and the subsequent encounter with the American continent.
Traditions and central events in the city of Granada
The streets of Granada are transformed this Friday into a stage where past and present converge. One of the most picturesque events is the “Paseo de la Tarasca”, a procession through the old town with allegorical representations and period costumes that evoke the atmosphere of the late fifteenth century.
Likewise, the solemnity moves to the Royal Chapel, where the traditional Floral Offering takes place in front of the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs. In this space, speeches and institutional readings rescue the memory of the monarchs and their role in the configuration of today’s city.
Key symbolism and multicultural legacy
The most awaited moment of the day is the recreation of the handing over of the keys of the city, which is usually represented in emblematic places such as the Puerta de Elvira.
This act commemorates the transfer of power from Boabdil, the last Nasrid king, to the Christian monarchs, a gesture that historically stands out for having sought a peaceful transfer.
Beyond the parades and music, January 2 has been consolidated as a day for reflection on the multicultural legacy. Modern festivities seek to value the coexistence of the various communities that have inhabited Granada over the centuries, promoting a message of unity and respect for the Arab, Jewish and Christian roots that still breathe in its monuments and neighborhoods.
