Earthquake shakes Granada but spares Alhambra, officials say

At about 1:00 a.m. local time (2300 GMT) on Friday, a tremor centred in the town of Alhendin, roughly ten kilometres south of Granada, jolted the Andalusian capital. The National Geographical Institute confirmed the epicentre and reported that the quake caused cracks, fallen ledges and rubble in several buildings.

Why it matters

Granada’s economy relies heavily on tourism, with the Alhambra, a UNESCO‑listed masterpiece of medieval Islamic architecture, drawing millions of visitors each year. Any damage to the palace would have rippled through local businesses and the broader Spanish tourism sector.

What happened on the ground

Andalusian emergency services logged around 300 calls and carried out 85 interventions, focusing on southern Granada and the surrounding metropolitan area. Fire crews responded to incidents ranging from broken tiles on a church roof to smashed car windows.

"There is no serious structural damage, no serious material damage and there are no casualties," said Antonio Sanz, the region’s top emergencies official. "The Alhambra had not been affected in any way."

Residents described the shaking as powerful enough to wake them. "We really felt the shaking, it was so strong that it woke us up," said Marta Mayorga Fernandez from nearby Huetor Vega.

What’s next

Authorities are conducting thorough inspections of older buildings and have warned that aftershocks remain possible. Antonio Sanz announced a dedicated telephone line to help the public cope with anxiety following the event. The last earthquake of comparable magnitude in the region occurred in 1955, so officials are urging vigilance as they assess any lingering structural concerns.