Granada - Alhambra Palace

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Description

(Local Name: Casa Real, Alcázar) On the north side of Charles V's palace is the entrance to the Alhambra Palace, residence of the Moorish rulers of the Nasrid dynasty. Work on the building of the palace began in the reign of Yusuf I (1333-54) and was substantially completed in the reign of Mohammed V (1354-91). Like all Moorish secular buildings, it is externally plain and unpretentious: it depends for artistic effect on its carefully contrived ground plan and its sumptuous decoration, one of the finest achievements of Moorish art. The palace, surrounded by its walls and numerous towers, was known to the Arabs as Medinat al-Hambra, the ''Red City'', after the color of the stone.

Hobbies & Activities category: Islamic site or artifact collection; Castle, chateau, palace; Paintings, art collections; Architecture - Moorish

Attractions within Alhambra Palace

Alhambra Palace - Interior

The interior of the Alhambra Palace is an outstanding example of Islamic palace architecture, with its careful articulation into three sections - the Mexuar, used for the public administration of

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Alhambra Palace - Baths

On the south side of the Patio de la Reja are the Baños, an extensive complex of underground rooms dating from the time of Yusuf I: first the Sala de las Camas, with a gallery for girl singers, then a small bath, a steam bath and two women's baths.

Alhambra Palace - Court of Lions

From the southeast corner of the Court of Myrtles at the Alhambra Palace in Granada the tour leads through the Sala de los Mozárabes into the Patio de los Leones, the central feature of the royal

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Alhambra Palace - Court of Myrtles

The Patio del Mexuar leads into the Patio de los Arrayanes or Patio de los Mirtos, which takes its name from the hedges of myrtle round the central pond. The court is 37m/121ft long by 23m/75ft

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Alhambra Palace - Hall of the Ambassadors

In the Torre de Comares is the Sala de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors). In this room (11m/36ft square, 18m/59ft high), also used as a throne room, the rulers of Granada received foreign

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Alhambra Palace - Hall of the Kings

At the east end of the Court of Lions Alhambra is the Sala de los Reyes or Sala de la Justicia. It is divided into seven sections with high stalactitic domes. In its alcove-like recesses are well

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Alhambra Palace - Hall of the Two Sisters

On the north side of the Court of Lions is the Sala de las Dos Hermanas which together with the succeeding apartments was probably the women's winter lodging. Its tile and stucco decoration is

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Alhambra Palace - Mexuar

An antechamber at the Alhambra Palace leads into the azulejo-clad Mexuar, originally an audience chamber and court-room, which after the Christian conquest was used as a chapel. Adjoining the

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Alhambra Palace - Patio de Lindaraja

Leaving the Alhambra Palace and going down a staircase, twice turning left, the visitor comes to the Patio de Lindaraja, formerly the inner palace garden, which is planted with cypresses and orange

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Alhambra Palace - Queen's Dressing-Room

From the Hall of the Two Sisters of Alhambra Palace, we pass along the gallery on the west side of the Jardín de Daraxa and through two other rooms in the outer gallery on the north side of the

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Alhambra Palace - Sala de los Abencerrajes

On the south side of the Court of Lions is the Sala de los Abencerrajes, named after a powerful aristocratic family who probably celebrated their winter festival here at the Alhambra Palace in

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Alhambra Palace - Sala de los Ajimeces

Opening off the Hall of the Two Sisters at the Alhambra Palace is the Sala de los Ajimeces. Between its two arched windows (ajimeces) is the Mirador de Lindaraja (or de Daraxa), a charming little

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Alhambra Palace - Towers

It is well worth visiting the towers of the Alhambra in Granada.

The towers form part of the fortification and are associated with various historical moments at Alhambra.

Alhambra Palace - Battlemented Tower

East from the Torre de las Damas, at the Puerta de Hierro or del Arrabal (where there is a path down to the Paseo de los Tristes), stands the Torre de los Picos.

Alhambra Palace - Other Towers

Around the corner from Torre del Agua, on the south side of the Alhambra Palace, are two smaller towers, the Torre de Juan de Arce and Torre de Baltasar de la Cruz, followed by the tower of the

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Alhambra Palace - The Torre de las Infantas

The Torre de las Infantas at the Alhambra Palace has a richly decorated hall and affords extensive views from the upper platform.

Alhambra Palace - Torre de las Damas

Immediately east of the Alhambra Palace is the Torre de las Damas, a defensive tower with an adjoining vaulted hall, a pool and a small mosque.

Alhambra Palace - Torre del Agua

At the east end of the Alhambra Hill is the Torre del Agua, with the cistern which supplied the Alhambra with water.

Alhambra Palace - Torre del Candil

Beyond the Torre de los Picos of Alhambra is the Torre del Candil, with a view of the former Convento de San Francisco, Granada's oldest religious house, converted in 1495 from an Arab palace and now a Parador Nacional.

Alhambra Palace - Tower of the Girl Captive

The Torre de la Cautiva of Alhambra comes after the Torre del Candil, with a small patio and a splendidly decorated principal apartment.

Do-It-Yourself Tours

Alhambra Hill Walking Tour

Address

Alhambra Palace
Granada
Spain

Hours

November 1 to February 28

Open	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30
Closed	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00	18:00

March 1 to October 31

Open	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30	8:30
Closed	20:00	20:00	20:00	20:00	20:00	20:00	20:00