Puerta de las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates)
Gate of the Pomegranates – Front Facade
Located at the foot of the Sabika Hill, the Puerta de las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates) is a gateway to the Alhambra monuments. Check the map of the Alhambra and Generalife for its location. It is one of the two access points available for visitors on foot and is connected to the Granada city center via the Plaza Nueva street.
The Gate of the Pomegranates 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 in the Alhambra.
Situated above the lintel of this gate 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 built during the Nasrid era, some remnants of which are visible on the right side, i.e., a small arch. Check the back facade of this gate. Embedded on the wall on the left side of the pathway is a small tombstone etched with words paying 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 the beautiful poetic words is Francisco Villaespesa Martín (1877 – 1936), a famed Spanish poet and writer, who had close ties to Granada.
Related Pages
– Gate of the Pomegranates – Back Facade
– Tombstone paying tributes to Alahmar, the founder of the Alhambra
– Area map of the Alhambra and Generalife
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 – Nasrid City
— Alhambra – Christian-Era Monuments
— Alhambra – Outer Monuments
– Generalife – Heavenly Gardens of the Nasrids
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