Puerta de Elvira
Coordinates: 37 ° 10 ′ 55 " N , 3 ° 35 ′ 59" W.
The Puerta de Elvira , also Arco de Elvira , was the main gateway to the city of Granada during Muslim rule; today it is one of the significant border points of the Albaycin district, the hill of which rises almost directly behind the gate. From the Puerta de Elvira, Calle Elvira leads to Plaza Nueva; Calle Elvira is currently one of the most popular tourist streets in the city.
The name bab-Ilvira refers to the Medina Elvira, a once important Muslim city located about 10 km to the east that was abandoned around 1020.
The gate was commissioned by the Zīrīden in the 11th century and later expanded into a fortress-like structure by the Naṣrid ruler Yusuf I. In 1612 the fortifications were dismantled by the Christian rulers. Today only the outer arch from the time of the Naṣrids remains.
The Puerta de Elvira was declared a Spanish national monument in 1896.
