Torre del Homenaje
Located on the northeast corner of the Alcazaba, Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Tribute), also known as the Keep, is one of the three original towers constructed as part of the first fortress built in the 1200s by Mohammed I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty. Note: The other two original towers are, Torre Quebrada and Torre de la Vela.
The Torre del Homenaje is one of the prominent buildings in the Alcazaba. Mohammed I lived here in the beginning and oversaw the construction of the Alcazaba. Because of its location, it provides a vantage point for the surveillance of the Alhambra and the surrounding areas.
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.
Related Pages
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
–Alhambra – Christian-Era Monuments
–Alhambra – Outer Monuments
Generalife – Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids
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