Almunia de Aynadamar Park

Almunia de Aynadamar Park is a small urban park in Granada, in Spain's Andalusia region, carrying a name that reaches directly back into the city's Arab-Andalusian past.

What does the park's name mean?

The name combines two Arabic-derived words. "Almunia" (from the Arabic al-munya) referred, in Nasrid-era Granada, to a country estate or orchard-garden belonging to a wealthy family — dozens of these almunias once ringed the city, supplying fruit and vegetables while doubling as places of leisure for their owners. "Aynadamar" is the Arabic name for a well-known spring north of the city, traditionally translated as "fountain of tears" (Fuente de las Lágrimas or Fuente Grande). Since Islamic times, water carried from Aynadamar through a network of acequias helped supply the Albaicín quarter and the Alhambra hill, making it one of the historic pillars of Granada's water system.

Why is Aynadamar linked to Federico García Lorca?

The Aynadamar spring itself, located well outside the park's grounds near the towns of Alfacar and Víznar, holds a heavier place in twentieth-century Spanish history. That countryside became associated with the repression of the Civil War years. In 1940, poet Dámaso Alonso wrote a poem titled "The Great Fountain, or the Fountain of Tears," permanently linking the image of the weeping spring with the memory of Federico García Lorca's execution and that of hundreds of other victims from that period. The park's name, referring to a separate spot within Granada itself, still calls up this history that runs deep in local memory.

What should visitors know before going?

The park sits within Granada, close to some of the city's historic quarters. Like many municipal parks named after former almunias, its character draws on the region's long garden tradition — shaded walkways and green corners that have shaped Granada's urban landscape for centuries. It offers a quieter counterpoint to the crowded historic center, where Arab-Andalusian heritage sits alongside everyday city life.

How does it fit into a visit to Granada?

Given its location within the city, the park makes a convenient stop when exploring other parts of Granada, including the Albaicín — the quarter that for centuries received water carried from Aynadamar — and the Alhambra hill above it. A walk through the park works well as a calmer complement to time spent in the busier historic center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Aynadamar" mean? It is Arabic for "fountain of tears," referring to a historic spring located north of Granada.

What was an "almunia" in old Granada? An almunia was a country estate or garden that ringed the city in Nasrid times, combining agricultural and recreational functions.

Is the park connected to Federico García Lorca? The park's name recalls the Aynadamar spring, which in Spanish cultural memory is tied to the tragedies of the Civil War and to Lorca, even though the spring itself lies in a different part of the Granada area than the park.

Where exactly is the park located? The park is located in Granada, in Andalusia, Spain.