Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

Kappe Chennigaraya is a smaller temple situated in the south side of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India. Commissioned by Shantala Devi, the pattada rani (principal queen consort) of King Vishnuvardana, the builder of the main Chennakeshava Temple, the construction of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple began at the same time as the main temple, i.e., in 1117 CE. She took great interest in this temple and even oversaw its construction.

There is an interesting legend regarding how Kappe, which means frog in Kannada, became a part of this temple’s name. It involves Jakanachari, the legendary architect and sculptor of the Hoysala era. Here is a summary of this legend.

Legend of Jakanachari

Jakanachari was a master sculptor and a genius. He hailed from a village called Kridapura (became Kaidala because of him) in the present-day Tumkur district in Karnataka. Because of marital discord, he left his wife Manjari, and moved to the capital of the Hoysala Empire and worked as a master sculptor for King Vishnuvardana.

Unbeknown to Jakanachari, his son Dakanachari, who was also a talented sculptor, came to Belur and started working for him. As Jakanachari was carving the statue of Chennakeshava for the Chennigaraya Temple, his son discovered a flaw, i.e., a frog was inside the belly of the sculpture. When confronted by his son about this flaw, Jakanachari felt humiliated and challenged him to prove it, and if he was proved right, he would cut off his right hand.

Dakanachari was proved right, and a frog jumped out when they drilled a hole in the sculpture. Jakanachari kept his word and cut off his right hand. He also came to know that Dakanachari was his son.

Legend has it that Vishnu restored his right-hand once he built a temple dedicated to Vishnu in his hometown, which became known as Kaidala. In Kannada, kai means hand. Both Jakanachari and Dakanachari collaborated to carve a new Chennakeshava idol, and it was consecrated by none other than the Pattada Rani Shantala Devi. However, Kappe remained a part of the name even after the defect-free idol was installed in the garbhagriha.

Architecture

While this temple is somewhat similar to the main Chennakeshava Temple architecture-wise, it differs in size and decoration. The Kappe Chennigaraya Temple is smaller and less ornate. It appears like a prototype of the main temple built for experimentation.

Another significant difference between them is the number of garbhagrihas (inner sanctums). Whereas the Chennakeshava Temple is an ekakuta temple (i.e., single garbhagriha temple), the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple is dwikuta, which means it has two garbhagrihas, one in the west and another in the south. Each garbhagriha has an entrance in front of it. The left image below shows the east facing entrance, which is in front of the west garbhagriha, and the right image shows the north facing entrance, which is in front of the south garbhagriha.

North facade of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — North facade of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

East facade of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — North facade of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

Garbhagrihas

Just like the main temple, the Kappe Chennigaraya shrine is dedicated to Vishnu. A life-size statue of Chennakeshava stands in the west garbhagriha, and a life-size statue of Venugopala stands in the south. Note that both Chennakeshava and Venugopala are different forms of Vishnu.

Venugopala standing in the south garbhagriha of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — Venugopala standing in the south garbhagriha

The image shows the garbhagriha on the south side of the the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple. As you can see, the garbhagriha is a squarish chamber with the life-size idol of Venugopala standing at the rear wall on a square yoni platform. Portrayed as a divine flute player, Venugopala is a form of Krishna. In Kannanda, Venu means flute, and Gopala means protector of cows.

In Hindu mythology, Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Check the Dashavatara painting on the Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals for a list and description of the ten avatars of Vishnu.

As you can see from the image, Venugopala is standing with a tribhanga (bent in three places, knee, waist, and neck) pose and playing the flute. There is a similar garbhagriha housing the Chennakeshava idol on the west side of the temple.

The image below shows a narrative sculptural relief depicting Narasimhavatara, the fourth avatar of Vishnu, carved into the lintel of the south garbhagriha door. In this avatar, Vishnu has a man’s torso with a lion’s face and claws. He adopted this form to kill an asura named Hiranyakashipu, who wanted to take revenge on Vishnu for killing his brother Hiranyaksha in his previous avatar, i.e., Varahavatara, the third avatar of Vishnu.

Ugra Narasimha carved on the door of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — Ugra Narasimha carved into the lintel of the south garbhagriha door

For a detailed explanation of the Narasimhavatara story, check the following pages: Vishnu’s incarnation Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu (describing the relief carved into the outer wall of Belur Chennakeshava Temple) and Prahlada Story – Slaying of Hiranyakashipu (describing the relief carved into a frieze on the outer wall of Halebidu Hoysaleswara Temple).

The relief depicts Vishnu with the lion head and human torso having multiple hands with claws. With the body of Hiranyakashipu lying on his lap, Vishnu is seen ripping the entrails of Hiranyakashipu with his claws. On the bottom left is Garuda, Vishnu’s vehicle, kneeling with his hands-folded. Surrounding this relief is a creeper making several circular patterns, each of which contains a small carving.

Navaranga

Pillars in the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — Lathe-turned pillars

The navaranga is the covered hall in front of a garbhagriha. Navaranga, which means nine sectors, is an essential element of the Hoysala temple architecture. In the navaranga design, the rectangular area is a grid of nine sections created by placing the pillars at the corners of the central section. A stone roof above these pillars covers the entire space.

The central section of the navaranga, known as sabhamantapa, is typically the largest. In Kannada, sabha means gathering, and mantapa means hall/pavilion. Thus, a sabhamantapa is like a community hall where people congregate.

As you can see from the image, the pillar in the near end is ornate with beautifully carved patterns. Mounted around the pillar and just below its capital are four finely-carved sculptures, popularly known as bracket figures.

Dance Floor in the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — Dance Floor in the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

Many pillars in the navaranga appear to be precisely-cut and polished using sophisticated machinery, such as modern-day lathes. Because of their appearance, these are often called lathe-turned pillars, although nobody is sure how they were built. Lathe-turned pillars are a common feature in many Hoysala temples, including the main Chennakeshava Temple, and basadis (Jain temples).

A beautifully crafted circular stone covers the floor of the sabhmantapa, and was used as a dance floor during the Hoysala period. As you can see from the above image, the dance floor is a perfectly round stone platform, which still maintains its original polish even after thousand years and is a testament to the ingenuity and superior craftsmanship of the Hoysala artisans. There are four pillars at the corners of the dance floor.

Lakshminarayana carved on the ceiling of the Kappe Chennigaraya Temple situated inside the Belur Chennakeshava Temple complex in Karnataka, India — Lakshminarayana carved on a section of the ceiling

The image shows a section of the ceiling in the navaranga. As you can see, the ceiling is recessed with a square-shaped niche and is carved with geometrical patterns at different levels of the niche. A sculptural relief depicting Lakshminarayana – a form of Vishnu presented with his consort Lakshmi – is at the center surrounded by finely carved geometrical patterns. Note that Lakshminarayana is a combination of two names, Lakshmi and Narayana. Narayana is another name of Vishnu, and it means one who dwells on the water. In Sanskrit, nara means water and ayana means dwelling. According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu lives on the cosmic ocean.

Related Pages
Hoysala Temples
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple
— Bracket Figures, Navaranga, Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
Badami Chalukya Temples
– Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
Vijayanagara Temples
– Hampi Virupaksha Temple Murals
Khmer Temples in Cambodia
– Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Banteay Srei, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Bayon
Monuments in Indonesia
– Prambanan Temples, Prambanan Bas-Reliefs
– Borobudur

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Alhambra: Medina

Explore the Bustling City of the Nasrids

Located on the eastern end of the Alhambra was a city bustling with shops, industrial houses, public baths, mosques, and residential quarters. Known as the Medina, this city served the daily needs of the palace and the people working there. Both nobility and the common people, including artisans and civil servants, lived in the residential quarters.

The main street of the city, known as Calle Real (Royal Street), ran from the east end of the Alhambra to the west side near Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate). A part of that trail still exists, and some sections have structures built during the Christian era.

Most of the original Nasrid structures in the Medina are now gone. The Christian kings who took over the Alhambra built structures over them. Later, Napoleon occupied the Alhambra from 1808 to 1812, and upon his defeat, his soldiers blasted many of these structures while retreating.

What remains now are the foundations of original structures and some restored buildings. The ruins of the Medina are on the eastern part of the Alhambra.

Here are some the monuments that existed along Calle Real:

Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate)

Built during the reign of Muhammed III (1302 – 1309), the third ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, the Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate) was a gateway inside the walls of the Alhambra and served as the entrance to the city. Although it is one of the oldest buildings in the Alhambra, it underwent minimal restoration. So, it still retains its original characteristics.

The Wine Gate has two similar facades, east facing, and west-facing. The decorations on these were updated during different periods. The image on the left shows the east-facing facade, i.e., facing the Carlos V Palace, and the image on the right shows the west facade, i.e., facing the Alcazaba.

As you can see from the images, the door has a horseshoe-shaped point arch. As with the other decorations in the Alhambra, mathematics played a vital role in creating beautiful art in decorating the Wine Gate facade. The design of this facade is symmetrical about the vertical axis. The beam above the arch has several parallelogram-shaped bricks placed at regular intervals and slanted outwards, creating an illusion that this funnel-shaped structure is holding the balcony above the east facade.

Both the facades have twin windows on the upper floor. The friezes of Islamic calligraphy surround these windows on the eastern one. The rectangular frames decorated with arabesques and Islamic calligraphy are on either side of these windows.

The middle brick in the beam above the arch on the west facade has the figure of a key engraved into it. It is an Islamic symbol whose meaning is not fully understood. It could mean that the key is a symbol of power that opens and closes the gates of heaven. The panel above the beam has an inscription in Arabic, and above it is a balcony with twin windows

Archaeological site of the Abencerrajes’ Palace

The image shows the archaeological site of the Abencerrajes’ Palace located in the upper area of the Alhambra. Historians believe that a beautiful palace with the characteristics of Nasrid-era architecture and art once stood in this location.

As mentioned before, Napoleon was responsible for the destruction of buildings in this site. Upon his defeat in 1812, he ordered his retreating troops to blow up the palace, including the Torre de Abencerrajes (Abencerrajes’ Tower).

The site was abandoned after the destruction. However, this changed in the 1930s when the restoration of the Alhambra started. After the discovery of the Nasrid-era artifacts in this area, archaeologists took a keen interest in this site and started excavating different parts of the palace. The significant excavations took place in 1957, 1990, and 1991. The ruins you see now are the results of these excavations and some restoration.

Rooms of the Abencerrajes Palace — Rooms of the Abencerrajes’ Palace

Before the destruction, the palace was known as the Palacio de la Contaduría (Accounting Palace) because the Christian kings gave this area to the senior accountant of the Royal Council in 1501.

The Abencerrajes’ Palace was attached to the Alhambra wall on the south side and had multiple rooms on the eastern section. A courtyard with a pool existed next to these rooms and parallel to the wall. Calle Real, the main road of the Medina, ran in front of the palace.

Torre de los Abencerrajes (Abencerrajes’ Tower)

Ruins of the Abencerrajes Tower in the Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Ruins of the Abencerrajes Tower

The image shows the ruins of the Abencerrajes’ Tower.

As mentioned before, Napoleon was responsible for the destruction of this tower. The ruins you see are what remained after this destruction.

The tower is on the thick defensive wall that surrounds the Alhambra. As you can see from the image, there are steps to the adarve (the path on the flat top of the wall), which connects it to other towers on the wall.

Puerta de los Siete Suelos – Door of the Seven Floors Tower

Just like the Puerta de la Justicia, this used to be an external entrance to the Alhambra in the Nasrid period. However, the original gate was also destroyed by the retreating Napoleon’s troops in 1812. The structure shown in the image is the restored gate based on the pictures drawn by people, including Washington Irving. It is built on the south side of the wall that surrounds the Alhambra and is located east of the ruins of the Abencerrajes’ Palace.

The gate got its name because of the belief that it had seven floors below the ground. However, the excavation of this site led to the discovery of only two underground floors.

The gate also has an interesting legend associated with it. According to this legend, Boabdil, the last Nasrid ruler of Granada, left the Alhambra through this gate after his surrender to the Christian kings. Before surrendering, he made a deal with the Christian kings to close the gate forever.

Parador de San Francisco – A Former Nasrid Palace and Franciscan Monastery

Located near the eastern end of the Alhambra, this building used to be part of a Nasrid palace built in the 14th century. After the Christian kings took over the Alhambra, it was converted sometime in the 16th century into a Franciscan convent to fulfill a promise Queen Isabella made to build a shrine for St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Orders. In the ensuing years, many Christian kings were interred in the chapel of the monastery.

After a considerable remodeling of the interiors, it was converted into a Parador, a luxury hotel run by the Government of Spain. The architecture and decoration of its interiors are now a mixture of Nasrid, Christian, and modern styles. The hotel is also called the Parador de Granada.

Alhambra: Christian-Era Monuments

Carlos V Pillar

The image shows a beautifully decorated wall located next to the Puerta de la Justicia and below the artillery pieces in front of the Palacio Carlos V. You can see this on your way to the Alhambra.

As you can see, the wall has three distinct levels of carvings. The bottom level is about Granada. The middle and top levels are about Carlos V, Holy Roman Emperor, who commissioned the building of this wall.

Carved at the bottom level are the three masks, which, according to experts, represent the three rivers of Granada, Darro, Beiro, and Genil. Representing Granada is a pomegranate growing on a tree branch carved on each of the two pilasters in the middle. Note that Granada means pomegranate in Spanish.

At the center of the middle level is an inscription in Latin describing Carlos V. The semi-circular block on the top level has his coat of arms enclosed by a double-headed eagle, which represents the Hapsburg Empire. The four medallions carved on sides of this circular block have reliefs depicting scenes from Greek mythology.

Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace)

The Palacio Carlos V is one of the large buildings you see as you enter the Alhambra site. It is a square-shaped building with a circular court in the middle. The facades on the southern and western sides are ornate and have beautifully designed entrances. The northern and eastern walls are mostly unadorned because part of them are connected to the buildings of the Nasrid era. The image shows the south side facade.

Built in the 1500s, this Renaissance building was intended to be a summer palace for Carlos V (Charles V), Holy Roman Emperor, who was an ardent admirer of the Alhambra and wanted to be part of it, although he never got to live in it. He entrusted the job of building the palace to Pedro Machuca, a renowned architect of his time, who also remodeled and renovated part of the Nasrid Palaces. He was a brilliant architect well ahead of his time, and some of the concepts and designs he used became popular later, including the circular court at the center of the building.

Read More: Palacios Nazaríes – Nasrid Palaces – A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture

Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace) located in the Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Palacio Carlos V – Charles V Palace

Although the construction of this palace began in 1527, it was not completed for many reasons, including financial and political, and fell into disrepair because of long neglect. Even the roof of the partially built structure came off, and the palace remained roofless for a long time. It underwent a major renovation, which included adding a new roof, and was eventually completed in 1957. The building now houses the Museo de Bellas Artes, a museum of fine arts.

The image shows a view of the palace as seen from the Torre del Cubo of Alcazaba. It shows the west-facing facade and northern wall connected to the Nasrid Palaces. The white-painted structure abutting the wall is the southern gallery of the Court of the Myrtles.

Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace) - Circular Court at the Center — Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace) – Circular Court at the Center

As you can see from the image, many people are standing in line in front of the palace. They are the visitors waiting to enter the Nasrid Palaces. The entrance is along the northern wall of the Charles V Palace.

Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra – Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra

Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of Santa Maria of Alhambra) - A view from the Partal — Church of Santa Maria – A view from the Gardens of the Partal

The image shows a view of the Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra) as seen from the Gardens of the Partal.

Located next to the Palacio Carlos V on the the Alhambra alta (i.e., upper area), the Church of Santa Maria is an iconic landmark of the Alhambra of the Christian era.

Note: To find its location, look for Area B in the map of the Alhambra. You can also see its location with respect to the other buildings in the external view of the Alhambra.

A grand mosque built by the Nasrids in the 1300s existed in this site. Sultans used this mosque for daily prayer, and because of that, it was a place of many palace intrigues. It is believed that Yusuf I, the seventh Nasrid king, was assassinated in this mosque.

Just after the Catholic monarchs took over the Alhambra, the grand mosque was converted into a Christian chapel. Many years later, it was decided to demolish the building and build a grand church in its place. The building of the church began in 1581 with Juan de Herrera being the architect. Because of the cost, his design was simplified by Ambrosio De Vico, who completed it in 1618.

Related Pages
Alhambra:
– Alhambra – Discover the magic of the Alhambra
– Palacios Nazaríes – Nasrid Palaces – A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture
– Los Jardines del Partal – The Gardens of the Partal
– Alcazaba – A Formidable Fortress of the Nasrids
– Medina, the Bustling City of the Nasrids
– Alhambra – Christian-Era Monuments
– Alhambra – Outer Monuments
Generalife:
– Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids
Real Alcázar of Seville:
– Pedro I Palace – A masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture

Alhambra: Outer Monuments

Pedestrian Path to the Alhambra Entrance

A site map of the Alhambra located near the city of Granada in Spain — A site map of the Alhambra and Generalife

The Alhambra monuments are on top of Sabika Hill, and there are two pedestrian paths to the main entrance from the foot of this hill. The path explained here is via the Puerta de Las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates). If you are walking there from the city center, take Cuesta de Gomérez Street from Plaza Nueva to arrive at this gate.

Note that another entry point is via Cuesta del Rey Chico, but the entry via the Puerta de Las Granadas is more interesting because of the monuments along this path. The distance from Plaza Nueva to the Alhambra monuments via this gate is about 3/4 of a mile.

The image shows a site map of the Alhambra and Generalife placed near this gate.

The paved road from the gate to the main entrance goes uphill, and as you walk up, you encounter the Alhambra forest on both sides. After walking a few hundred feet from the gate, the roads fork into two; The right path goes to the Crimson Towers, the Manuel de Falla Auditorium, and the left path leads to the Alhambra. As you walk further, you arrive at the Washington Irving monument. A few feet from there, you climb the flight of steps to reach the Pillar of Carlos V. Then you go via the Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice) to arrive at the Alhambra.

Once you are at the top, you can see monuments belonging to both the Nasrid and Christian eras. The Nasrid era monuments include Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate), Alcazaba, and Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces). The Christian era monuments include Palacio de Carlos V (Charles V Palace) Santa Maria de Alhambra and Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra.

Monuments along the Pedestrian Path

As mentioned before, there are several interesting monuments along the pedestrian path to the Alhambra entrance. Here is a brief description of these monuments.

Puerta de Las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates)

The first monument you see is the Gate of the Pomegranates, and as mentioned, it is an entry point located at the foot of Sabika Hill. It is a Roman-style arched gate built in 1526 to commemorate the visit of Carlos V (1500 – 1558), Holy Roman Emperor, and also King of Spain, Germany, and Italy. The architect of this gate is Pedro Machuca, who also built the Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace), one of the famous Christian-era buildings at the Alhambra.

As you can see from the image, the door has a lintel and pediment. Situated above the lintel is a sculpture of a two-headed eagle covering the coat of arms of Carlos V, and on top of the pediment are the sculptures of three opened pomegranates, the reason why the gate got its name. This gate replaced the one existed from the Nasrid era, some remnants of which are visible on the right side, i.e., a small arch.

The image on the right side shows the back facade of this gate. Embedded on the wall on the left side is a small tombstone etched with words that pays touching tribute to Alhamar, the founder of the Alhambra. It was installed in 1932 as part of the ceremonies commemorating the 7th centenary of the founding of the Emirate of Granada. The author of these beautiful poetic words is Francisco Villaespesa Martín (1877 – 1936), a famous Spanish poet and writer with close ties to Granada.

Tombstone that pays tributes to Alahmar, the founder of the Alhambra mouted on a wall near the Gate of the Pomegranates in Granada, Spain — Tombstone that pays tributes to Alahmar and glorifies the Alhambra

Here is a rough English translation of these poetic words written on the plaque:
“To Alahmar, the most distinguished man of the house of NASAR, the founder of the Alhambra. Because you surpassed the limits of Time and space by making all the beauties of nature pale when by creating the wonders of this citadel to gird the glory and immortality of the divine temples of the distinguished and unique city, you receive the moving tribute from Granada and with it the admiration and respect of the world.

The cry of your banished children who, even in the solitude of the desert, in the light of the stars, dream of the paradise of your enchanted halls.

Do not fear the ravages of time or the fickleness of fortune, because your overflowing zeal was eternalized in the marvel of these enclosures.

Even though the shadows of these walls may not last, their memory, which will always be everlasting, will remain as the only possible refuge of dreams and art.

And then the last nightingale, who flutters over the world, will make its nest and sing chants of farewell amongst the glorious ruins of the Alhamabra.”

Statue of Washington Irving

The next important monument you see on the path is the bronze statue of Washington Irving (1783–1859), a celebrated American author and a great admirer of the Alhambra.

Statue of of Washington Irving installed by the side of the pathway leading to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain — Statue of Washington Irving

He visited Granada in 1829 and lived on the premises of the Nasrid Palaces located inside the Alhambra. He authored one of his famous books, Tales of the Alhambra, which is a collection of essays, stories, and sketches related to the Alhambra, some of which were inspired by the legends and stories passed down through generations of families residing in Granada. Beside being an author, he was an American ambassador to Spain from 1842 to 1846.

This statue was installed in 2009 to commemorate Washington Irving’s 150th death anniversary. The plaque at the bottom says “Washington Irving 1783 – 1859” and the pedestal says “Hijo de la Alhambra” (Son of the Alhambra) as he wanted to call himself. The Alhambra forest is behind the statue. The following is one of his famous quotes on the Alhambra:

 “Perhaps there never was a monument more characteristic of an age and  people than the Alhambra; a rugged fortress without, a voluptuous palace  within; war frowning from its battlements; poetry breathing throughout  the fairy architecture of its halls.”

Carlos V Pillar

The image shows a beautifully decorated wall located next to the Puerta de la Justicia and below the artillery pieces in front of the Palacio Carlos. As you can see, the wall has three distinct levels of carvings. The bottom level is about Granada. The middle and top levels are about Carlos V, Holy Roman Emperor, who commissioned this wall.

At the center of the middle level is an inscription in Latin about Carlos V. The semi-circular block on the top level has his coat of arms enclosed by a double-headed eagle, which represents the Hapsburg Empire. The four medallions carved on sides of this circular block have reliefs depicting scenes from Greek mythology.

Puerta de la Justicia – Gate of Justice

Commissioned by Yusuf I (1333-1353), the seventh Nasrid ruler of the Emirate of Granada, and completed in 1348, the Gate of Justice is a tower built as an entrance to the Alhambra.

As you can see from the image, there are two doors, one behind the other. The outer door leads to the inner one, which is much smaller. Both of them have a horseshoe type of arches above the doors.

At the center of the circular frieze above the outer door is a marble figure of a hand inset into the frieze. The lintel of the inner door has an inscription written in Arabic. Above the inscription is a niche with the statue of the Virgin Mary with Infant Jesus, which is a duplicate of the original installed in 1501, which is currently on display at the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) in the Palacio Carlos V – Charles V Palace.

Generalife

Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids

Located on Cerro del Sol (Sun Hill), a hill adjoining the Alhambra, the Generalife is a complex consisting of beautiful gardens, orchards, and a palace used by the Nasrid kings as a leisure residence, especially during summer. Derived from the Arabic word Jannat al-‘Arīf, Generalife means an architect’s garden. Inspired by the Persian gardens of the medieval period, Muhammed II (1273 – 1302), the second king of the Nasrid dynasty, built the Generalife complex as his summer residence. Muhammed III (1302 – 1309), the second king, and Ismail I (1314- 1325), the fourth king, extended and improved the palaces and gardens.

The Generalife provides a panoramic view of the Alhambra and Granada area. Although the palaces in Generalife are not as ornate as the Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra, they still retain the charm of Moorish art. The courtyards have pools with fountains and water canals.

The palaces and gardens underwent significant restorations in the 20th century. The walkways, which were built as part of these restorations, are paved with beautiful mosaics created with black and white pebbles. The black ones are from the River Genil, and the white ones are from the River Darro. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 along with the Alhambra and Albaicín district.

Visiting the Generalife

As mentioned before, the Generalife complex is on a hill next to the Alhambra, and separating them is a ravine, which has a bridge that provides access to the Generalife. It takes about an hour to visit the gardens and courtyards of the Generalife. You can combine the Alhambra visit with the Generalife because it is at a walkable distance.

There is a path that leads to the Generalife from the Alhambra. Once you visit the Nasrid Palaces, you come out via the Gardens of Partal, which has signs directing to the Paseo de las Torres (Tower’s walk). Follow these signs, and as you walk, you will see several Nasrid era towers. You then cross the bridge over the ravine and reach the Auditorium at the Generalife. A walkway leads to the lower gardens area, and you start the Generalife visit there.

Lower Gardens

A view of the gardens of the Generalife in Granada, Spain — A view of the lower gardens

The image shows an area known as the Lower Gardens the Generalife located on the slope of a hill next to the Alhambara in Granada, Spain. It is Area K in the map of the Alhambra and Generalife.

At the center of the image is a pebbled walkway that leads to the Generalife Palace and the upper gardens. The Generalife complex has many similar walkways paved with beautiful mosaics created with black and white pebbles. The black ones are from the River Genil, and the white ones are from the River Darro. The walkways are a 20th-century creation built as part of the restoration of the Generalife.

The area on the right side of the walkway is an arable land used by the Nasrids to grow vegetables and fruits. It serves the same purpose even today. As you can see, the agricultural terrace on the right has orchards and vegetable patches.

The area on the left side is used for decorative purposes and has beautifully-trimmed cypress trees. It is a delightful experience to walk under the arches of the cypress trees. See the image below. Although these gardens make a great impression with visitors, they are also a modern creation built as part of the renovation of the Generalife, and nobody is sure how they looked in the Nasrid era.

Cypress tree arches in the lower gardens of the Generalife in Granada, Spain — Cypress tree arches

An octagonal basin in the lower gardens of the Generalife in Granada,Spain — Cypress tree arches

Generalife Palace

The walkway from the lower gardens leads to the Generalife Palace, which has two important courts, which are:

Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Irrigation Channel
Patio de la Sultana (Sultana’s Court or Courtyard of the Cypress).

Patio de la Acequia – Court of the Irrigation Canal

The Patio de la Acequia is a rectangular court with pavilions on all four sides. The image below is captured from the northern pavilion. On the far end of the image is the southern pavilion with two floors. The pavilion on the right (i.e., west side) is ornate and provides a beautiful view of the Generalife gardens and the Alhambra.

As the name suggests, the court has an irrigation canal, which runs through its center. Built in the Nasrid period, it provided water for the exotic plants in the court. On its sides are the narrow terraces with water sprouts spurting water into the canal, creating a beautiful display of semi oval-shaped water jets crossing each other.

The hedges of myrtle bushes run along the outer edges of the terraces. The beds used for cultivating flower plants, bushes, and fruit trees are on both sides of the canal. The Nasrids imported some of these plants, including a variety of rose bushes and jasmine creepers, from different parts of the world, choosing them for the colorfulness and fragrance of their flowers. The plants with their colorful flowers and a pleasant aroma created a delightful atmosphere in the court.

A pavilion at the Patio de la Acequia in Generalife, Granada, Spain — A chamber on the west-side pavilion

A ceiling of a pavilion on the west side of the Patio de la Acequia — A chamber on the west-side pavilion

The image on the left shows highly ornate pavilion with large arched windows surrounded by Islamic calligraphy. As you can see, they provide a beautiful view of the gardens.

The image on the right shows the sunken wooden ceiling of a pavilion on the west side of the Patio de la Acequia. This is a great example of Mudéjar art, a style of decoration originated in Moorish Spain and is a fusion of Islamic and Christian art. There are many rooms in Nasrid Palaces and Generalife with ceilings decorated with Mudéjar art.

Patio de la Sultana – Sultana’s Court

The image shows the Patio de la Sultana (Sultana’s Court) located adjacent to the Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Irrigation Canal).

The court has a water-filled ditch surrounding the rectangular platform. At the center of this platform is a square pond in the middle flanked by two garden patches, each surrounded by a hedge of myrtle bushes. There is a basin with a fountain at the center of the pond. As you can see from the image, several water sprouts on the platform and the corridors are spurting water, creating semi oval-shaped water jets.

Cypress Tree and the Legend of the Abencerrajes

Cypress tree of the Abencerrajes Legend Fame standing in the Patio de la Sultana of the Generalife Palace in Granada, Spain — Cypress tree of the Abencerrajes legend standing in the Patio de la Sultana

Standing on the eastern side of the court is the dried-up tree trunk of a cypress tree, which experts believe was alive during the Nasrid period and lived for 600 years. A popular legend is centered around this cypress tree, and because of this legend the court is also known as the Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana (Sultana’s Cypress Tree Court).

As you can see from the image, there is also a small plaque next to the tree trunk. The Spanish text in the plaque refers to this cypress tree to describe the story that is central to the Legend of the Abencerrajes.

The plaque says :

Cuenta la leyenda que este ciprés de la sultana fue testigo de la amorios de un Caballero Abenceraje y la esposa de Boabdil

Here is a rough translation:

Legend has it that this Cypress Tree of the Sultana was a witness to the love affair of an Abencerraje Knight and Boabdil’s wife.

According to the legend, Moryama (Maryam bint Ibrahim al-’Attarthe), the wife of Muhammad XII (known as Boabdil, the last Sultan of Granada), had an affair with a knight belonging to the Abencerrajes, a warrior clan fiercely loyal to the Nasrids. The lovers used to meet underneath the shade of this cypress tree in the moonlight.

Plaque describing the Abencerrajes legend in the Patio de la Sultana (Sultana's Court) in the Generalife Palace, Granda, Spain — Plaque describing the Abencerrajes legend in the Patio de la Sultana (Sultana’s Court)

A courtier eventually discovered their secret and revealed it to the Nasrids. Enraged by the affair, Boabdil ordered the killing of the members of the Abencerrajes clan. He invited them for a meeting at his palace. The unsuspecting members accepted the invitation and gathered in a hall. While they were waiting for the king, his guards closed the doors of the hall and assassinated as many as 30 of them.

Although there is no historical or archaeological evidence to prove that this event ever took place, the fascinating story of romance and the palace intrigue has caught the imagination of people and helped to keep the mystique of the Alhambra alive.

The hall where the alleged killings took place became known as Sala de los Abencerrajes (Hall of the Abencerrajes), which is a part of the Palace of Lions in the Nasrid Palaces, located in the Alhambra.

Upper Gardens

Patio de la Sultana Staircase in the Generalife, Granada, Spain — Patio de la Sultana Staircase

Escalera del Agua - Water Stairway in the Generalife, Granada, Spain — Escalera del Agua – Water Stairway

A staircase on the south end of the Patio de la Sultana leads to the upper gardens of the Generalife. The image shows the arched gateway above that staircase. As you can see, there are two lion statues atop this gateway.

Besides numerous gardens, the upper level of the Generalife consists of the Escalera del Agua (Water Stairway), Mirador Romántico (Romantic Viewpoint), and Casa de los Amigos (House of Friends).

The image shows part of the stairway know as the Escalera del Agua (Water Stairway) situated in the upper gardens of the Generalife.

The stairway consists of three levels of steps. At the end of each level is a circular-shaped terrace with a fountain at its center. Built atop the wall on each side of the stairway is a narrow canal with the water flowing down. The shade from the trees in the surrounding gardens and the water running in the canals keep the place cooler and make the uphill walk pleasant for visitors.

Mirador Romántico - Romantic Viewpoint - Obseravtory located at the highest point on the Generalife, Granada, Spain — Mirador Romántico – Romantic Viewpoint

In the Nasrid era, this stairway led to a small oratario (oratory or prayer hall) that existed at the upper end of the stairway, which happens to be the highest point of the Generalife. The royals used this stairway to climb up to the oratario to pray and then relax watching the panoramic view of the surrounding areas.

A small observatory known as the Mirador Romántico (Romantic Viewpoint), which is shown in the image, replaced the oratory in the 19th century. The structure does not fit well with the rest of the buildings in the Generalife because it is not a Nasrid-era building. Built in 1836 by Don Jaime Traversa, the administrator of the Generalife at that time, Mirador Romántico is a neo-gothic style building.

Related Pages
Alhambra:
– Alhambra – Discover the magic of the Alhambra
– Palacios Nazaríes – Nasrid Palaces – A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture
– Los Jardines del Partal – The Gardens of the Partal
– Alcazaba – A Formidable Fortress of the Nasrids
– Medina, the Bustling City of the Nasrids
– Alhambra – Christian-Era Monuments
– Alhambra – Outer Monuments
Real Alcázar of Seville:
– Pedro I Palace – A masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture

Alhambra: Alcazaba

A Formidable Fortress of the Nasrids

Located strategically on the western end of Sabika Hill, the Alcazaba is a fortress used by the Nasrid rulers to defend the Alhambra, the center of power of the Emirate of Granada. Because of its hilltop location, many kingdoms that came before them built fortifications in this site. Experts believe that even a Roman fortification existed here.

Realizing the importance of the strategic location, Mohammed I (1238–1273), the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, decided to build a fortress over a structure that already existed since 889 CE. He made it his residence and oversaw its construction. The version of the fortress he built consisted of three towers, Torre Quebrada (Broken Tower), Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute), and Torre de la Vela (Tower of Vigil), all of which are still standing.

After the fall of the Nasrids, the Christian kingdoms used it for defensive purposes. Later, like all other structures in the Alhambra, it fell into disrepair after long neglect. The major restoration work started in the 19th century and continued until the early 20th century.

Entrance and Plaza de Los Aljibes

The structure shown in the image is the east-facing facade of the wall on the east side. This wall has a small door in the middle used by visitors to enter the fortress. Above the entrance is Torre Quebrada, also known as the Broken Tower, and to its right is the Torre del Homenaje, also known as the Keep. As mentioned before, these two are the original towers of the Alcazaba.

The open space in front of the eastern wall is known as the Plaza de Los Aljibes (Plaza of the Cisterns) because of the cisterns built there by the Christian kings soon after they took over the Alhambra. When they were no longer useful, public space was created by filling them up and planting some trees and bushes. As you can see from the image, the open space in front of the Alcazaba wall is full of people who are sitting and relaxing.

The Plaza de Los Aljibes has also been a venue for numerous cultural events. The image below shows a plaque written in Spanish embedded into the exterior of the eastern rampart. It lists the important events that took place in the Plaza de Los Aljibes.

A plaque on the Alcazaba wall — A plaque embedded into the Alcazaba wall

Here is the list:
1922 – Concurso de Cante Jondo – The Cante Jondo contest for Flamenco singers
1927 – Autos Sacramentales – These are religious dramas unique to Spain that are played during the feast of Corpus Christi
1952 – Primer Festival de Música y Danza – The First Music and Dance Festival
1976 – XXV Aniversarios del Festival – 25th Anniversary of the Festival held in 1952

The plaque was installed in 1976 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the first Music and Dance Festival held in 1952.

Towers on the Eastern Wall

Eastern part of the Alcazaba located at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain — The eastern part of the Alcazaba

The image shows a view of the west-facing facade of the eastern wall as seen from the Torre del Vela. As you can see from the image, the Torre Quebrada is in the middle and Torre del Homenaje to its left. The small semi-circular structure next to the Torre del Homenaje is the Torre del Cubo.

The area in front of the eastern wall is called the Plaza de las Armas (which is explained in the next section). Behind the eastern wall is the Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace) and to its right is the Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra). Just below the hill on the far end are the buildings belonging to the Generalife.

Torre del Homenaje located on the northeast corner of Alcazaba at Aljambra in Granada, Spain — Torre del Homenaje

As you can see from the image, Torre del Homenaje is a robust square-shaped tower with battlements (parapet with openings at regular intervals) and merlons (construction that projects upwards) on all four sides of its terrace. This strategically located tower was used for both defensive and offensive purposes. The crenels (space between the merlons) were used for mounting the guns and embrasures (vertical slits) below the battlements used for observation.

Because of its location, Torre del Homenaje provides a vantage point for the surveillance of the Alhambra and the surrounding areas. Mohammed I lived there in the beginning and oversaw the construction of the Alcazaba.

Plaza de las Armas – The Garrison of Alcazaba

Although Plaza de las Armas means Plaza of the Weapons, it actually refers to an interior area of the fortress consisting of military quarters and storage facilities for weapons and other supplies needed for the defense of the Alhambra.

The ruins consisting of the foundation walls that you see in the image belonged to the Barrio Castrense, which is a Nasrid-era residential area consisting of houses occupied by the military commanders and soldiers stationed in the Alcazaba. As you can see, each house has an entrance, a central hall and other rooms, and a lavatory. One of the houses is larger than the others, and it most-likely belonged to the head of the garrison. It also has a small pool at the center. It is believed that Mohammed I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, moved his residence from the Torre del Homanaje to this house after its construction.

Torre de la Vela – The Tower of Vigil

Alcazaba - Torre de la Vela and Plaza de las Armas — The Torre de la Vela and Plaza de las Armas

Located on the western part of the Alcazaba, Torre de la Vela, also known as the Watch Tower, is an iconic structure that provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding areas. As mentioned before, it is one of the three towers built by Mohammed I.

With four floors and a terrace, it is the tallest tower in the Alcazaba. It also has three underground floors and a dungeon. The iconic bell tower on the terrace was not part of the original construction. The Christian kings, who took over the Alhambra, installed the bell to warn residents living in the surrounding areas of attacks and other emergencies. The tower got its name because of this bell. Velar in Spanish means to keep vigil. So, the Torre de la Vela is a tower that keeps vigil.

Terrace of the Torre de la Vela located on the western part of the Alcazaba at Alhambra in Granada, Spain — The Torre de la Vela terrace with a bell and flags

The tower sustained severe damages due to a variety of catastrophic events, including an explosion and earthquake, occurred during the post Nasrid period. It included the ripping off of the original battlements and breaching of part of the tower.

The image below shows a spectacular view of the snow-clad Sierra Nevada Mountains, as seen from the terrace of the Torre de la Vela. In Spanish, Sierra means mountain range, and Nevada means snowfall. As the name suggests, a lot of snow falls in these mountains. Because of the abundance of snow, they have become a popular tourist attraction, especially with skiing enthusiasts. .

Sierra Nevada Mountains - A view from Torre de la Vela of Alcazaba located at Alhambra in Granada, Spain — Sierra Nevada Mountains – A view from the Torre de la Vela

Alhambra: Gardens of the Partal

Located between the Medina (i.e., city) and the Nasrid Palaces, the area covered by the present Gardens of the Partal was mostly residential during the Nasrid era. Because of the convenient location, the people who worked in the palaces lived in this area. Medina, which had shops, baths, and mosques, was nearby and met their daily needs.

After the Christian kings took over the Alhambra, the houses and other buildings in this area fell into disrepair. A major restoration of the Alhambra took place from 1923 to 1936, during which period this area became an archaeological site. Excavations of this site led to the discovery of numerous Moorish houses and even a palace attributed to Yusuf III. The gardens in this area are a modern construction and were part of the restoration that in the 1930s.

The Gardens of the Partal consists of few buildings near the Nasrid Palaces and the gardens built on the slopes north of the upper Alhambra. The two main buildings in this area are 1. Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies) 2. Oratorio del Partal (Oratory of the Partal).

Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies)

Built sometime between 1302 and 1309 CE during the reign of Muhammed III, the Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies), which used to be called the Partal, is one of the oldest buildings in the Alhambra. Partal means portico in Arabic. The Gardens of Partal got its name because of this building.

It had many modifications and renovations done to it over the years, but eventually, it was neglected and fell into disrepair. Fortunately, it underwent a significant restoration in 1924, and the beautiful building you see now is the result of that restoration.

As you can see from the image, the Tower of the Ladies consists of a tower, a hall, and an open portico. Resting on the marble pillars of the portico are the five arches. Only the middle arch, which is higher than the other four, belonged to the original building.

The ceilingof the portico of the Torre de las Damas located in the Partal Gradens, Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The ceiling of the portico

An interior view of Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies), a building with an open portico located in the Partal Gradens, Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The ceiling of the portico

The image on the left shows the ceiling of the portico of the Tower of the Ladies. As you can see from the image, the ceiling has several repetitive geometrical patterns, including many recessed octagons, arranged symmetrically with a deeply-recessed multi-angled niche at the center.

The beautifully decorated wooden ceiling shown in the image is a delight to watch and is a great example of Mudéjar art, a style of decoration originated in Moorish Spain and is a fusion of Islamic and Christian art. There are many rooms in Nasrid Palaces and Generalife with ceilings decorated with Mudéjar art.

The image on the right shows the hall behind the portico of the Tower of the Ladies. As you can see from the image, it offers a great view of the city of Granada.

Oratorio del Partal

An interior view of the Oratory, a building located in the Partal Gradens, Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Interior of the Oratory showing the mihrab

The image shows an interior view of the Oratorio del Partal (Oratory of the Partal), a small building next to the Tower of the Ladies. Attributed to Yusef I (1333-1354), the seventh and one of the most prominent ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, the Oratory was a house of prayer, which was used by the sultan for namaz (prayer). It was first restored in the 1930s, then again in 2017 to the present form.

As you can see from the image, the highly decorated wall has a niche, known as mihrab, oriented towards the Kaaba of Mecca. The upper part of the mihrab has a beautiful arch surrounded by a square border carved with Islamic calligraphy. Beautifully carved arabesques fill the space between the arch and this border. The wall above the mihrab has two decorative windows, and surrounding it are arabesques and Islamic calligraphy.

Note: Arabesque is a repetitive pattern of foliage or geometrical designs found in decorations of Islamic architecture.

Also seen in the image is part of the ceiling, which is ornate with finely-carved wooden panels. It is also an example of Mudéjar art mentioned above.

Gardens

Built on the slopes north of the upper Alhambra and east of the Nasrid Palaces, the gardens consist of several terraces with reflecting pools, fountains, flower beds, and nicely trimmed hedges of bushes enclosing plants and trees.

The image on the left shows a terrace on the west side of gardens. At the far end is the Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra), and to its right is Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Place).

On the right, a low brick wall with a white plaque is part of the remnants of Palacio de Yusuf III (Yusuf III Palace). The archaeological excavation in the 1930s led to the discovery of this palace. Based on the type of construction and the artifacts found in the site, experts attributed it to Yusuf III (1408-1417), the thirteenth ruler of the Nasrid dynasty. However, experts also believe that a much older construction attributed to Muhammad II (1273-1302), the second ruler, existed in this site, and the Yusuf III Palace was a modified version of that building.

The image on the right shows a terrace on the north side of the gardens. As you can see from the image, the Tower of the Ladies is at the far end.

A west side view of the Gardens of the Partal in Granada, Spain — A west side view of the Gardens of the Partal

A north side view of the Gardens of the Partal in Granada, Spain — A west side view of the Gardens of the Partal

Alhambra

Discover the Magic of the Alhambra

Located on top of Sabika Hill and overlooking the picturesque city of Granada in southern Spain, the Alhambra is one of the most fascinating historical sites in the world. It is home to monuments belonging to two dominant, but distinct cultures of the world, i.e., Islamic culture from North Africa and Christian culture from Europe. Built side-by-side, these monuments are a testament to Spain’s strong multi-cultural roots. The Alhambra along with the nearby Albaicín area and the Generalife was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Derived from an Arabic word al-qal’a al-hamra, which means the red one, the name Alhambra likely referred to the red fortress that existed on the current Alcazaba site. As some Moorish poets put it, the Alhambra was a pearl set of emeralds. At its peak, with the lavish palaces and sprawling gardens, it was like a heaven on earth. The Alhambra now presents a glimpse of its past glory, showcasing the grandeur and beauty of its edifices.

The Alhambra is unique in many ways. To name a few, the usage of mathematics in architecture and decoration and showcasing of Islamic art in a strongly Christian country. The mesmerizing patterns on the walls and ceilings are a blend of mathematics and art. The Alhambra was the inspiration for the development of many modern mathematical concepts.

The Alhambra is a massive complex of fortresses, palaces, towers, and gardens covering an area of 26 acres. The River Darro flows in the north, and the Sabika valley lies in the south. Because of its strategic location, many variations of fortifications existed in Sabika Hill, starting from the Roman period. However, it was largely forgotten until Muhammed I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty and the Emir of the Kingdom of Granada, realized its strategic importance and started building forts and palaces in the 13th century. Later, Yusuf I made it a royal palace, and it remained so until the Reconquista captured it.

Although the Nasrids were an Islamic dynasty with strong roots in North Africa, they often allied with the Christian kings during the Reconquista. During their rule, the relationship between Christians and Muslims was mostly amicable. Granada was the last Islamic bastion to fall to the Reconquista, and it was bloodless. The Nasrids employed a lot of Christian artisans to build and decorate the edifices. As a result, a blend of Christian and Islamic art evolved in the Alhambra.

Glowing Tributes to Alahmar, the founder of the Alhambra

Mounted on the wall near the Gate of the Pomegranates, one of the entrances to the Alhambra, is a tombstone that pays touching tributes to Alahmar, the founder of the Alhambra, and glorifies the its beauty. The author of the poetic words etched in this tombstone is Francisco Villaespesa Martín (1877 – 1936), a famed Spanish poet and writer with close ties to Granada. Here is a rough English translation of these poetic words:

“To Alahmar, the most distinguished man of the house of NASAR, the founder of the Alhambra.

Because you surpassed the limits of Time and space by making all the beauties of nature pale when by creating the wonders of this citadel to gird the glory and immortality of the divine temples of the distinguished and unique city, you receive the moving tribute from Granada and with it the admiration and respect of the world.

The cry of your banished children who, even in the solitude of the desert, in the light of the stars, dream of the paradise of your enchanted halls.

Do not fear the ravages of time or the fickleness of fortune, because your overflowing zeal was eternalized in the marvel of these enclosures.

Even though the shadows of these walls may not last, their memory, which will always be everlasting, will remain as the only possible refuge of dreams and art.

And then the last nightingale, who flutters over the world, will make its nest and sing chants of farewell amongst the glorious ruins of the Alhambra.

F. Villaespesa.”

Pedestrian Path to the Alhambra

The Alhambra monuments are on the hilltop. If you are going there on foot, there is a well-paved pedestrian path starting at the Puerta de Las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates) located at the foot of Sabika Hill. If you are walking from the city center, take Cuesta de Gomérez Street from Plaza Nueva to arrive at this gate. The distance from Plaza Nueva to the Alhambra monuments via this gate is about 3/4 of a mile.

Note that there is another entry point via Cuesta del Rey Chico. However, the path via Gate of the Pomegranates is much more interesting because of the monuments along the way.

The image shows an area map of the Alhambra and Generalife placed near this gate. The pedestrian path from the gate to the main entrance is a paved road and goes uphill. As you walk up, you’ll encounter the Alhambra forest on both sides. After walking a few hundred feet from the gate, the roads fork into two; The right path goes to the Crimson Towers, the Manuel de Falla Auditorium, and the left path leads to the Alhambra. As you walk further, you’ll arrive at the Washington Irving Monument. A few feet from there, you climb a flight of steps to reach the Pillar of Carlos V. Then you go via the Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice) to arrive at the Alhambra.

For detailed information on the monuments along the pedestrian path, check this page: Alhambra – Outer Monuments.

Alhambra Monuments

Once you reach the top, you can view the monuments from both the Nasrid and Christian periods. The Nasrid-era monuments include the Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate), Alcazaba, Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces), and Gardens of the Partal. The Christian-era monuments include Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace), and Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra).

The image shows a magnificent view of the Alhambra buildings with the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This view was captured from the Generalife located on the hill adjacent to the Alhambra.

An external view of the Alhambra from the Generalife — A view of the Alhambra captured from the Generalife

On the far left (i.e., south) is the Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra (Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra). The longitudinal building next to it is the Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace).

At the far end (i.e., west) is the Torre de la Vela, a tower with a bell and flags located at the west end of the Alcazaba. In front of it are the Torre del Homenaje and Torre Quebrada. The tower on the far right is the Tower of Mohammed.

At the near end (i.e., east) is the Gardens of the Partal with Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies) and Oratario on the right and attached to the wall.

Behind the Gardens of the Partal and between Palacio Carlos V and Tower of Mohammed are the buildings belonging to the Nasrid Palaces that include Mexuar, Comares Palace, and Palace of Lions.

Nasrid Era – The Golden Age of the Alhambra

During the Nasrid period, the Alhambra was a self-contained citadel with a defensive wall around it, and within this wall, there were three main areas.

Royal Residences – Now known as the Nasrid Palaces, these were the residences of the sultan where he and his close relatives lived and conducted the state business. These are were built on the slopes on the northern part of the hill.
Alcazaba – This was the fortress made of ramparts and watchtowers. It also provided housing for the troops stationed here to defend the royals. It occupies the western end of Sabika Hill.
Medina – This is the city that served the needs of the people living in the palaces and the military. It was on the south side and covered the area on the upper part of the hill. Not much is left of the city now because many Christian era monuments were built in this area, and Napoleon’s retreating troops, who occupied the Alhambra from 1808 to 1812, blew up part of it in 1812 when they withdrew from Granada.

Nasrid Palaces

Located on the northern end of Sabika Hill, the Nasrid Palaces is the most popular tourist attraction in the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palaces require tickets to visit, and depending on the season, you may have to buy them well in advance. Besides the Nasrid Palaces, the Alhambra has many impressive attractions, including the Alcazaba, Partal Gardens, and Medina. Although the Generalife, which is located on a different hill on the other side of the valley, is not considered part of the Alhambra, most tourists visit it after the Alhambra tour because of the easy access from the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palaces visit lasts about two hours, and you can complete the entire Alhambra and Generalife tours in half a day.

The Nasrid Palaces consist of three main palaces, which are: Palacio del Mexuar, Palacio Comares (Comores Palace), and Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions). The visit starts at the entrance near the north facade of the Palacio Carlos V and ends at the Partal Gardens.

Court of the Lions located inside the Nasrid Palacesin in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Court of the Lions

The Court of the Myrtles located inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Court of the Lions

Gardens of the Partal

The Gardens of the Partal (Los Jardines del Partal) used to be part of the Nasrid Palaces and had buildings and houses occupied mainly by the nobility and the people related to the palace. Partal means portico in Arabic.

In the 1930s, beautiful gardens replaced the Partal ruins. As a result of excellent planning and landscaping, these gardens blends with its natural surroundings. The Gardens of the Partal consists of several restored buildings near the Nasrid Palaces and the gardens built on the slopes north of the upper Alhambra. The two main buildings in this area are: 1. Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies) 2. Oratorio del Partal (Oratory of the Partal).

The images below show the views of the buildings and gardens.

Alcazaba

Located strategically on the western end of Sabika Hill, the Alcazaba is a fortress used by the Nasrid rulers to defend the Alhambra, the center of power of the Emirate of Granada. Because of its hilltop location, this site attracted many kingdoms in this region to build fortifications there. Experts believe that even a Roman fortification existed in this site.

Realizing the importance of the strategic location, Mohammed I (1238–1273), the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, decided to build a fortress over a structure that already existed since 889 CE. He oversaw its construction and made it his residence. The version of the fortress he built consisted of three towers, Torre Quebrada (Broken Tower), Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute), and Torre de la Vela (Tower of Vigil), all of which are still standing.

The eastern part of the Alcazaba located at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain — Alcazaba Entrance and Plaza de Los Aljibes

Medina

The Alhambra was a self-contained citadel in the Nasrid period. The city, known as the Medina, served the daily needs of the palace and the people working there. It was a bustling city with shops, industrial houses, public baths, mosques, and residential quarters. The residential quarters provided housing for the common people, including artisans and civil servants, and the nobility. The ruins of the original Medina are in the east end of the Alhambra.

The main street of the city, known as Calle Real (Royal Street), ran from the east end of the Alhambra to west side near the Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate). A part of that trail still exists and other Christian era structures were built.

Most of the original Nasrid structures in the Medina are now gone. The Christian kings who took over the Alhambra built structures over them. Napoleon, who occupied the Alhambra from 1808 to 1812, blasted many of them while retreating. What remains now are the foundations of some structures and some restored buildings.

Related Pages
Alhambra:
– Discover the magic of the Alhambra
– Palacios Nazaríes – Nasrid Palaces – A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture
– Los Jardines del Partal – The Gardens of the Partal
– Alcazaba – A Formidable Fortress of the Nasrids
– Medina, the Bustling City of the Nasrids
– Alhambra – Christian-Era Monuments
– Alhambra – Outer Monuments
Generalife:
– Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids
Real Alcázar of Seville:
– Pedro I Palace – A masterpiece of Mudéjar art and architecture

Spain

Alhambra: Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces)

A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture

Known for the grandeur and unique Islamic art, the Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces) is a complex of interconnected palaces built by the Nasrids, a powerful dynasty originated in North African and ruled the Emirate of Granada over a period of 260 years. Besides using the palaces as their residences, the Nasrid rulers used them to conduct the state business, including the administration and meeting with the local and foreign dignitaries.

Located on the northern end of Sabika Hill, the Nasrid Palaces are the most popular tourist attractions in the Alhambra. The opulence and lavishness of the palaces make visitors feel like they are in a paradise on earth.

The Nasrid Palaces require tickets to visit, and depending on the season, you may have to buy them well in advance. Besides the Nasrid Palaces, the Alhambra has many impressive monuments, including the Alcazaba, Partal Gardens, and Medina. The Generalife is not considered part of the Alhambra because it is located on a different hill on the other side of the ravine separating them. However, most tourists visit it after the Alhambra tour because of the easy access from the Alhambra. The Nasrid Palaces visit lasts about two hours, and you can complete the entire Alhambra and Generalife tours in half a day.

While the exterior of the palaces appears to be an unimpressive jumble of buildings (See the image), the well-designed and exquisitely decorated interiors are impressive works of art.

An external view of the Nasrid Palaces located at Alhambra in Granada, Spain — An outer view of the Nasrid Palaces

The palaces consist of highly decorated rooms arranged in a quadrangular fashion with a court in front. Some courts have fountains with running water, and the others have reflecting pools or gardens. The rooms have finely carved ceilings, some with mocárabes (Read Note 1 below). The doorways and windows are arched, and the walls around them are embellished with arabesques (Read Note 2 below) and Islamic calligraphy.

The palaces evolved gradually over the years during the Nasrid rule. During this era, many rooms were added, extended, and removed. Once the Christian rulers took over the Alhambra, they too remodeled and renovated the palaces, but fortunately maintained its original Moorish character by keeping the basic structures, and most of its architectural elements, and beautiful decorations.

The Nasrid Palaces consist of three main palaces, which are: Palacio del Mexuar, Palacio Comares (Comores Palace), and Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions).

Palacio del Mexuar – Mexuar Palace

The Maxuar palace is one of the first palaces to be built in the Alhambra and changed the most. The building of the original place took place during the reign of Ismail I (1314 – 1325), the fifth ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, who usurped the direct descendant of the founder and created the second Nasrid dynasty. Later, a significant rebuilding of this palace occurred during the reign of Muhammad V (1354–1359, 1362–1391), the eighth ruler of the Nasrid dynasty.

During the Christian era, An explosion in 1590 destroyed most of the western part. As a result, there is very little left from the original palace. Nobody is sure how the original building looked like; What you see now is a small portion of the original on the eastern part.

The Maxuar Palace is where the visitors enter the Nasrid Palaces. The images below show a part of the main hall. Supporting the ceiling of this hall are the four pillars, each of which is surmounted by the corbels at the top. The image on the right shows the wall and the corbels on the eastern part of this hall. As you can see, the beam and wall are ornate with arabesques and Islamic calligraphy. The beautifully decorated wooden ceiling is from the Christian era and is a great example of Mudéjar art (Read Note 3).

Maxuar Hall in Nasrid Palaces — The Maxuar Hall

A section of the wall on the east side of the Maxuar hall — The Maxuar Hall

Palacio Comares – Comares Palace

The construction of this palace began during the reign of Yousef I (1332-1354), the seventh ruler of the Nasrid dynasty, and completed by his son Mohammed V (1354–1359, 1362–1391). Once completed, it became the official residence of the emirs.

The Comares Palace consists of the following:

Patio de los Arrayanes – Court of the Myrtles
Rooms and Halls surrounding the Court of the Myrtles
Cuarto Dorado – Gilded Room and the patio
Royal bath

Cuarto Dorado – Gilded Room

The Gilded Room is located next to the Maxuar Palace.

Alhambra - Nasrid Palace — The Gilded room wall

As you can see from the image on the left, the walls are ornate with arabesques and Islamic calligraphy. The room has doorways with arches and finely-carved decorative windows above the arches. The Nasrid Palaces have many rooms in this style of decoration.

As you can see from the image on the right, the wooden ceiling is recessed and engraved with beautiful gold-colored patterns. The room got its name because of these gold-colored decorations.

The Gilded Room ceiling is an excellent example of Mudéjar art, which is a blend of Islamic and Christian art created mainly by Christian artisans.

Patio de los Arrayanes – Court of Myrtles

Court of the Myrtles located inside the Nasrid Palacesin in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Court of the Myrtles -The north corridor view

Court of the Myrtles located inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Court of the Myrtles -The north corridor view

The Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of the Myrtles) is a quadrangular court with a pool surrounded by well-trimmed hedges of myrtle bushes (hence the name Court of the Myrtles). Situated at the northern and southern and ends of the pool are the fountains, and behind the fountains are the corridors, each with seven exquisitely embellished arches.

The image on the left shows a view of the north corridor with the Comares Tower behind it. The image on the right shows a view the south corridor with a gallery on the upper floor, which has seven arches, just like the floor below. As you can see, the middle arch of the corridors is higher than the other six.

Located west of the Court of the Myrtles is the Gilded Room (Cuarto Dorado), and east is the Palace of the Lions. The visitors enter the Court of the Myrtles through the Gilded Room and walk east to enter the Hall of the Mocarabes of the Palace of the Lions.

Palacio de los Leones – Palace of the Lions

Built by Mohammed V (1362 – 1391), the Palace of the Lions is the most impressive part of the Nasrid Palaces. The palace building reached its crescendo during his rule.

Map of the Palace of of the Lions located inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Map of the Palace of of the Lions and recommended path for the visitors

It lies between the Comares Palace and the Partal. In the center is the Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions), which is a rectangular court surrounded by four halls.

This map shows the recommended path for the visitors to navigate in the Palace of the Lions. It is on display at the Court of the Lions corridor.

As you can see from the map, visitors first enter the Sala de los Mocárabes, which is on the west, and leave through the Mirador de Lindaraja.

Here is the list of rooms and halls:
A. Sala de los Mocárabes – Hall of the Mocárabes
B. Patio de los Leones – Court of the Lions
C. Sala de los Abencerrajes – Hall of the Abencerrajes
D. Sala de los Reyes – Hall of the Kings
E. Sala de las Dos Hermanas – Hall of the Two Sisters
F. Mirador de Lindaraja – Viewing Windows of Lindaraja

Patio de los Leones – Court of the Lions

Commissioned by the Mohammed V and built in the second part of the 14th century, the Court of the Lions is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture in Spain.

As you can see from the image, the Court of the Lions is a rectangular court surrounded by arched corridors, behind which are the four famous halls of the Nasrid Palaces. Located west of the court is the Hall of the Mocárabes, north is the Hall of the Abencerrajes, east is the Hall of the Kings, and south is the Hall of Two Sisters.

At the center is a fountain built with sculptures of 12 lions and a dodecagon-shaped (12-sided polygon) basin is resting above them. The Court of the Lions got its name because of these 12 lions.

Sala de los Mocárabes – Hall of the Mocárabes

Hall of the Mocarabes located inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Hall of the Mocarabes

Located west of the Court of the Lions, the Sala de los Mocárabes is a hall with an oval-shaped ceiling previously covered with a dome of the Mocárabes. It got its name because of this dome, which was dismantled after an explosion in the 16th century. Check the map of the Palace of the Lions for its location.

Although this hall is beautifully decorated, it is less glamorous than the other three halls that surround the Court of the Lions . The visitors to the Court of the Lions enter this hall before walking to the other halls in the Palace of the Lions.

The image shows a part of the ceiling depicting the court of arms of the Nasrid dynasty.

Sala de los Abencerrajes – Hall of the Abencerrajes

A sidewall with two arches of the Hall of the Abencerrajes located inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Hall of the Abencerrajes – A sidewall with two beautifully decorated arches

Located north of the Court of the Lions, the Hall of the Abencerrajes is ornate with beautiful geometric designs on its walls and ceiling. It has a central hall and a corridor with two archways. The image shows a sidewall with two beautifully decorated arches on the doorway leading to a corridor.

The Hall of the Abencerrajes owes its name to the legend of the Abencerrajes, a warrior clan from North Africa. According to this legend, 30 of them were assassinated in this room by the orders of the Sultan of Granada, who suspected a member of the clan was having an affair with one of the ladies of the royal family. However, there is no historical or archaeological evidence to support the occurrence of this event. Read more on this legend: Cypress Tree and the Legend of the Abencerrajes

A view of the ceiling of the Hall of the Abencerrajes inside the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Hall of the Abencerrajes – A view of the ceiling

The view above the central hall is especially stunning. As you can see from the image, the ceiling looks like a honeycomb constructed with small and colorful cells of different geometric shapes, including triangles and rectangles. Such honeycomb structures are called dome of the mocárabes (similar to muqarnas of Persian origin). Below the roof and covering the entire hall is a deck whose balustrades form a hexadecagon (a polygon with 16 sides).

Sala de los Reyes – Hall of the Kings

Located east of the Court of the Lions, Sala de los Reyes (Hall of the Kings) is one of the most interesting halls in the Nasrid Palaces, mainly because of the three paintings on its ceiling (see the images below). It is also known as the Justice Hall.

At the center of this rectangular-shaped hall is the main room flanked by two bedrooms on the sides. Connecting the main hall to the bedrooms are the exquisitely decorated double arch doors.

A corridor separates this hall and the Court the Lions, and the three beautifully decorated arched doorways connect this corridor to the hall.

The image above shows a view of the ceiling of the Hall of the Kings. It looks like a honeycomb constructed with small and colorful cells of different geometric shapes, including triangles and rectangles.

A painting depicting everyday life on the ceiling of the Hall of the Kings located inside Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Everyday life

Figting and hunting scenes depicted on the ceiling of Hall of the Kings located inside Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — Everyday life

The images show the three paintings on the ceiling of the Hall of the Kings. These were painted on a sheepskin leather sheet and attached to an oval-shaped wooden vault of the ceiling.

The lower painting depicts the first ten kings of the Nasrid dynasty. The Hall of the Kings got its name because of the this painting. The other two painting depict everyday life and fighting and hunting scenes Although the paintings depict the legends of the kings of the Nasrid dynasty, they were most likely painted by the Christian painters during the reign of Mohammed VII (1395 – 1410 CE) or Yusuf III (1410 – 1424 CE).

Sala de las Dos Hermanas – Hall of Two Sisters

Part of the ceiling and wall of the Hall of the Two Sisters located inside Nazrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Hall of Two Sisters – Part of the ceiling and wall

Located south of the Court of the Lions, the Hall of Two Sisters is ornate with beautiful geometric designs on its walls and ceiling.

Just like the Hall of Abencerrajas, the ceiling of this hall has the dome of the mocárabes, however, the design is different. The small colorful cells are organized to form concentric geometrical shapes.

Below the roof and covering the entire hall is a deck whose balustrades form an octagon. The wall is also highly decorated, and there is a niche in the wall with a beautiful arch.

A view of the ceiling of Hall of Two Sisters located inside Nazrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Hall of Two Sisters – A view of the ceiling

As you can see from the image, the outermost shape is almost a circle and enclosed within this circle is a hexadecagon (a polygon with 16 sides). Enclosed within this hexadecagon is an octagon (a polygon with 8 sides), and within this octagon, there are many concentric shapes. Below the roof and covering the entire hall is a deck whose balustrades form an octagon. It is a delight to the eyes to view these mesmerizing geometric designs.

Mirador de Lindaraja – The Viewing Windows of Lindaraja

Sala de los Ajimeces and Mirador de Lindaraja - Halls located inside in Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Sala de los Ajimeces and Mirador de Lindaraja

The image shows a beautiful view captured from the Hall of Two Sisters. At the far end of the image is the Mirador de Lindaraja (Mirador de Daraxa), and at the near end is the Sala de los Ajimeces (Hall of the Ajimeces). These two halls are located east of the Court of the Lions.

As you can see from the image, a beautifully decorated arched door from the Sala de los Ajimeces leads to the Mirador de Lindaraja. Just like the other halls in these palaces, the walls are filled with arabesques and Islamic calligraphy, and the ceiling is decorated with mocárabes.

With its two beautifully decorated arched windows, the Mirador de Lindaraja provides a spectacular view of the gardens outside the Patio of the Lindaraja. However, the mirador (lookout) is now closed to the visitors.

The Patio de Lindaraja (Court de Lindaraja) – also known as the Jardines de Daraxa (Garden of Daraxa) – is a square-shaped patio enclosing a lovely garden on all four sides. Each side has a portico with arched columns made of marble and a gallery upstairs. This image was captured from one of the galleries.

A view of Patio de Lindaraja located inside Nazrid Palaces in Alhambra, Granada, Spain — The Patio de Lindaraja

At the center of the garden is a beautiful marble fountain, which dates back to 1626, and the basin was first at the Patio del Cuarto Dorado (Patio of the Gilded Room). The garden has several pentagon-shaped bushes and tall trees, including cypress, orange, and acacia.

Notes

Note 1: Mocárabes are unique to Islamic architecture in Andalucian Spain and are similar to Muqarnas (which is of Persian origin). They are decorative elements consisting of recurring geometrical patterns, which appear like honeycombs. Typically used in vaults, mocárabes are a symbolic representation of the cave where Prophet Muhammad received his revelation.

Note 2. Arabesque is a repetitive pattern of foliage or geometrical designs found in decorations of Islamic architecture.

Note 3: The term Mudéjar refers to the Moors who stayed in the Iberian Peninsula after the Christian retook the land ruled by the Moors.

Legend of Jakanachari

Architecture

Garbhagrihas

Navaranga

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Explore the Bustling City of the Nasrids

Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate)

Archaeological site of the Abencerrajes’ Palace

Torre de los Abencerrajes (Abencerrajes’ Tower)

Puerta de los Siete Suelos – Door of the Seven Floors Tower

Parador de San Francisco – A Former Nasrid Palace and Franciscan Monastery

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Carlos V Pillar

Palacio Carlos V (Charles V Palace)

Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra – Church of St. Mary of the Alhambra

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Pedestrian Path to the Alhambra Entrance

Monuments along the Pedestrian Path

Puerta de Las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates)

Statue of Washington Irving

Carlos V Pillar

Puerta de la Justicia – Gate of Justice

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Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids

Visiting the Generalife

Lower Gardens

Generalife Palace

Patio de la Acequia – Court of the Irrigation Canal

Patio de la Sultana – Sultana’s Court

Cypress Tree and the Legend of the Abencerrajes

Upper Gardens

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A Formidable Fortress of the Nasrids

Entrance and Plaza de Los Aljibes

Towers on the Eastern Wall

Plaza de las Armas – The Garrison of Alcazaba

Torre de la Vela – The Tower of Vigil

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Torre de las Damas (Tower of the Ladies)

Oratorio del Partal

Gardens

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Discover the Magic of the Alhambra

Glowing Tributes to Alahmar, the founder of the Alhambra

Pedestrian Path to the Alhambra

Alhambra Monuments

Nasrid Era – The Golden Age of the Alhambra

Nasrid Palaces

Gardens of the Partal

Alcazaba

Medina

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A Shining Example of Moorish Art and Architecture

Palacio del Mexuar – Mexuar Palace

Palacio Comares – Comares Palace

Cuarto Dorado – Gilded Room

Patio de los Arrayanes – Court of Myrtles

Palacio de los Leones – Palace of the Lions

Patio de los Leones – Court of the Lions

Sala de los Mocárabes – Hall of the Mocárabes

Sala de los Abencerrajes – Hall of the Abencerrajes

Sala de los Reyes – Hall of the Kings

Sala de las Dos Hermanas – Hall of Two Sisters

Mirador de Lindaraja – The Viewing Windows of Lindaraja

Notes

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