Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo

Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo is a 16th-century Catholic church in Granada, standing on the bank of the Darro River at the foot of the Alhambra hill. The building blends Mudéjar and Renaissance elements and is one of the most recognizable structures in this part of the city.

Where is the church located, and what's around it?

The church sits on Carrera del Darro, one of Granada's most photographed streets, running along the right bank of the Darro River. Directly across from it stands Casa de Castril, a Renaissance palace that now houses an archaeological museum. Because of its position at the foot of the Alhambra, the church often turns up on walking routes connecting the Albaicín quarter with the fortress hill.

What's the history behind the building?

The current church was built on the site of an earlier one that collapsed in 1559. That earlier structure had, in turn, been raised on ground previously occupied by a mosque bathhouse known as the Mezquita de los Baños. The new church was designed by architect Juan de Maeda, with construction running from 1559 to 1567. Its Renaissance façade, considered one of the finer examples of late-16th-century Andalusian architecture, was added afterward in 1589 by Pedro de Orea.

How is the interior laid out?

The church follows a Latin-cross plan set within a rectangular outline. The main nave is flanked by nine lateral chapels — five on one side, four on the other. This kind of layout, common among parish churches built in Granada after the Reconquista, allowed the interior to be gradually furnished over time as different families and church bodies funded individual chapels.

Is it worth stepping inside?

The 1589 façade alone is worth a pause — the proportions of the portal and its stone decoration represent mature Andalusian Renaissance work. Inside, the network of side chapels illustrates how Granada's parish churches kept expanding for decades after their main construction phase ended in the 16th century. Less crowded than the Alhambra itself, it makes for a quiet stop along a walk down Carrera del Darro.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo in Granada? The church stands on Carrera del Darro, on the right bank of the Darro River, directly opposite the Casa de Castril palace and at the foot of the Alhambra hill.

When was the current church building constructed? Construction ran from 1559 to 1567, designed by architect Juan de Maeda, on the site of an earlier church that had collapsed in 1559.

What architectural style does the church represent? The building combines Mudéjar and Renaissance elements; its Renaissance façade was added in 1589 by Pedro de Orea.

What stood on this site before the church? Before the first church was built here, the site held a mosque bathhouse known as the Mezquita de los Baños.