Exploring Granada.

Granada is a city encircled by mystery and enchantment, favoured by visitors from around the world and adored by its inhabitants. First recognized as "Ilbyr" by native tribes during the prehistoric period, becoming the city of "Illibris" when the Romans moved in to colonize southern Spain, it was finally christened Granada by the Arabs following their invasion of the Southern peninsula in the 8th century.

Standing to the south-east of the city at the centre of the Penibetic Mountains is the Sierra Nevada Massif which constitutes the most extensive and diverse mountainous area in Spain. The mountain extends down to the western end of Almeria and the tallest peaks can be found on the Mulhacen that climbs to 3482 meters and Veleta at 3392 meters.

We all know it happens but have never really understood what it was all about. Our intrepid reporter, Heidi Wardman now enlightens ex pats on probably one of the biggest festivals across the Country.

Whilst Christmas is perhaps one of the most celebrated of Religious festivals in the UK, it's significance is over-ruled by that of ‘ El Dia De Las Reyes' both here in Spain and Latin America.

The celebration marks the end of the Christmas period, and is synonymous to the visit from the three Kings and commemoration of Epiphany, the day that the Kings travelled from the East bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.

Melchor, was the Sultan of Arabia, and the oldest of the Kings - he brought gold, which was used to adorn Hebrew temples. Baltazar was a Nubian King and ruler of Ethiopia - his gift was Myrrh, a precious, aromatic resin that comes from the bark of thorny African trees, and symbolized suffering.. Gaspar was Emperor of the Orient - his gift was Frankincense, an aromatic gum, distilled from the trees of Arabia. Frankincense was priceless and a gift only for Kings, that symbolized prayer. It was burned in temples to honour God. Although the arrival of the Kings is also known in Britain, it is much less celebrated.