Unveiling the Nasrid Palaces, Alhambra - History, Art, and Ticket Info

The Alhambra is is not simply a monument; it constitutes an entire fortified citadel, comprising towers, defensive gates, baths, gardens, and palaces.


Deriving their name from the Nasrid dynasty, the Nasrid Palaces is the residence where the Sultan resided with his family from the 13th to the 15th centuries, comprising magnificent palaces, the royal court, and a labyrinth of rooms.

Are the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces the same?

The Alhambra is a big fortress and palace complex, and the Nasrid Palaces are just one part of it. The Nasrid Palaces are the most beautiful section. But the Alhambra is more than just those palaces - it also has a military part (Alcazaba), gardens (Generalife), and other buildings.


Not all palaces in the Alhambra are Nasrid Palaces. The term "Nasrid Palaces" specifically refers to the group of palaces constructed by the Nasrid dynasty. For example, the Charles V Palace is not part of the Nasrid Palaces.

How Many Nasrid Palaces Are There?

The monumental complex known as the Nasrid Palaces is made up of 4 palaces: 1) the Mexuar, 2) the Comares Palace, 3) the Palace of the Lions and the Christian constructions added later and 4) the Partal Palace. Here, we describe all of them.

The Catholic Monarchs established themselves in these Nasrid palaces, implementing some modifications. Later, their grandson Emperor Charles V erected his own palace on the site of the former Mosque.

Location Map of the Nasrid Palaces

In the image below, you can see that the Nasrid palaces occupy a relatively small part of the Alhambra.


If we count all the palaces, in the Alhambra there are ten distinct palaces, some of which are renowned and still well-preserved, like the Palacio de Comares and Patio de los Leones.

However, some are now distant memories of the past. They are archaeological remnants that speak of troubled times and defeated wars, like Palace of Abencerrajes< or the palace of Muhammad III (now the Parador Hotel).


The Nasrid Palaces are the most popular area in the Alhambra. Due to limited capacity, access is restricted, and you'll need to choose the date and time of your visit when buying a ticket. You should allocate at least 2 hours to visit the Alhambra Palaces.

Nasrid Palaces Entrance Tickets

To visit the Nasrid Palaces, you'll need to purchase the 1) General Alhambra Entrance, 2) Alhambra Experience ticket, or 3) Dobla de Oro General ticket, which also grant access to the Alcazaba and the Generalife, or 4) the Nasrid Palaces Night Visit ticket. Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the palaces.

Please ensure you arrive at the Alhambra at the designated entry time. Late arrivals may be denied entry. For additional information, consult the Alhambra tickets.

The Mexuar - a Court of Justice

The visit to the Nasrid Palaces starts at the Sala del Mexuar (Mexuar Hall).

This palace, likely constructed during Ismail I (1314-1325) reign, is one of the oldest sections of the Alhambra.

However, it underwent significant modifications after the Christian kings took control.

Mexuar (courtroom) was the place where justice was served.

The hall underwent remodeling during the reign of Yusuf I and Muhammad V, so there is very little left from the time of Ismail I.

Take note of the four central columns, which exemplify the Nasrid style: the marble shaft adorned with rings, and the capital, with its Almohad influence, featuring a cylindrical lower section and a square upper portion.

During the 16th century, an additional floor was built above this room, converting it into a chapel with an adjoining courtyard and choir.

Fortunately, the old Mexuar Oratory is still preserved. At the end of the room, you'll encounter stunning views.

Golden Room (Cuarto Dorado)

The Golden Room dates back to the era of Muhammad V and was originally distinguished by its magnificent wooden roof, from which it earned its name.

Today, we can't see it in its original splendor, due to the remodeling carried out by by the Catholic Monarchs.

It continued to serve as a space for administrative and governmental functions, likely utilized by court secretaries.

A splendid portico with three arches grants entry to the the Patio del Cuarto Dorado.

Courtyard of the Golden Room

The Patio del Cuarto Dorado connects the Mexuar with the Comares Palace. It serves as the boundary between the private and public sections of the palace.

The sultan used this staircase for handling government affairs. Behind him was the Palacio de Comares, a strictly private and family-oriented section.

The fountain was originally located in the Patio de Lindaraja and was relocated here in the 16th century. What you see now is a replica of the original.

The Comares Palace - the Official Residence of the Sultan

You can enter the Palace of Comares by passing through the Patio del Cuarto Dorado.

The visitor is taken aback by the grandeur of its facade, while the small doors discreetly hint at a defensive design.

Arrayanes Courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes)

Upon entering through the left door, we traverse a series of three bends, leading us to the magnificent Patio de los Arrayanes. The name is derived from the plant that borders both sides of the pool.

This spacious pool is the centerpiece of the courtyard. Two water jets, one at each end, gently and quietly fill the rectangular pond.

The water must stay still, turning the pond's surface into a mirror reflecting the palace in all its grandeur. It transports us to another dimension.

The Comares Palace is considered one of the jewels of the Alhambra.

The Patio de los Arrayanes is surrounded by family rooms on either side of the courtyard, and there are also two smaller but beautiful porticoes with towers rising behind them.

One of these towers is the magnificent Torre de Comares.

Comares Tower (Torre de Comares)

The Comares Tower is notable for being the tallest in the Alhambra, standing at 45 meters.

Its name, apparently, is derived from the lattice work with stained glass windows that once decorated the balconies of the room it houses: the magnificent Hall of Ambassadors or Hall of the Throne.

Ambassadors Hall (Salón de Embajadores)

The Hall of Ambassadors, constructed during Yusuf I's (1333-1354) time, is the largest preserved room from the Middle Ages.

Its remarkable dome, intricately carved from cedar wood, is a celestial vault composed of over 8000 pieces, meticulously arranged in an ascending pyramidal form, representing the seven heavens of Islam.

At the top, the central muqarnas dome symbolizes Paradise, emitting divine light through a shining white star towards us.

Beneath this dome, the sultan sat on his throne, symbolizing his connection to divine power and asserting his authority over the room.

From here, he had a wide view of much of the Patio de los Arrayanes, and in the water's reflection, he could see the windows of the upper floor, which we assume was where the harem was situated.

The Court of the Lions - the Symbolic Center of the Alhambra

Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions) is masterpiece of Nasrid art, constructed during Muhammad V's second reign (1362-1391).

Once again, the palace rooms are arranged around a courtyard. Undoubtedly, it is the most famous and admired courtyard in all of Alhambra.

Court of the Lions

The splendor and artistic richness of Patio de Los Leones captivate us, blending all styles of Nasrid art.

Upon entering, you are struck by the forest of 124 columns made of Macael marble that fan out like palm trees around the courtyard.

All elements in this patio hold symbolic meaning: it represents Paradise, with the presence of four flowing rivers.

The Fountain of the Lions is not only the symbolic center of the Alhambra but also a masterpiece of Muslim sculpture and a triumph of hydraulic engineering.

Abencerrajes Room (Sala de Abencerrajes)

On the south side lies Sala de Abencerrajes, where, according to legend, 36 knights belonging to this prominent family from the Nasrid period once resided.

In the center, there is a fountain that channels water to the Fountain of Lions.

Look up and admire the impressive muqarnas dome, crafted in the shape of an eight-pointed star, exquisitely illuminated by sixteen windows. Above this chamber lies the Harem, an area with restricted access that persists even today.

Unfortunately, many of the rooms in this beautiful palace were destroyed to construct the Palace of Charles V. Nonetheless, we still have some remnants that provide a glimpse of what was once one of the most stunning palaces in Al-Andalus.

The Kings Room (Sala de los Reyes)

The King's Room was a place for relaxation and also hosted the sultan's parties. It is quite spacious, measuring 30 meters in length.

All the ceilings are constructed with muqarnas and still retain traces of polychrome decorations.

In the plasterwork of the walls, you will see motifs interspersed with the yoke and arrows of the Catholic Monarchs, as well as some Christian shields.

This room consists of several small bedrooms, each with inverted cupolas adorned with paintings on leather.

The most significant feature is the central dome, where 10 royal figures are depicted seated in the traditional style, adorned in ceremonial attire. This detail gives its name to the room.

These paintings date back to the late 14th century and represent a rare example of the figurative style, which was uncommon in Islamic architecture during that period.

In the paintings found in the Hall of the Kings, we observe features reminiscent of the late Gothic style of northern Italy.

It is possible that these paintings were created by Christian artists.

Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de las Dos Hermanas)

At the opposite end of the Hall of the Abencerrajes is the Hall of the Two Sisters, whose name seems to come from the two large marble slabs on either side of the fountain.

This was the central room of Casa de la Sultana, and it stands out for its beautiful decoration.

Take a moment to admire the beautiful muqarnas dome and the superb stucco mural decoration.

The epigraphic inscriptions consist of 24 verses by Ibn Zamrak, dedicated to the circumcision of the sultan's son. The tiling of the plinth is original and holds great value.

On the sides, there are two bedrooms with excellent wooden coffered ceilings. The one on the left overlooks the Garden of Partal, while the one on the right has a view of Emperor's Rooms.

When you visit Sala de los Aljimeces, you will see the beautiful wooden balconies with lattices, which are typical of the Nasrid tradition. Originally, they protruded from the façade and are what give the room its name.

It is one of the few remaining examples in Granada.

Lindaraja Viewpoint (Mirador de Lindaraja)

From the Lindaraja viewpoint, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Darro River valley and the old city of Granada, which is now the Albaicín neighborhood.

However, now we can only see a patio with a garden, as the construction of Emperor's Rooms covered these views.

Its original name, which means "the eyes of the house of Aixa", has now lost all of its original meaning.

Still, this room stands out as one of the most beautiful in the Palacio de Los Leones.

The Emperor's Rooms (Habitaciones del Emperador)

The Emperor's Rooms were built to accommodate Charles V and his wife between 1526 and 1532, while the nearby palace that would bear his name was still under construction.

It is believed that King Philip II was conceived here.

Whether it be legend or fact, what is documented is the stay of the writer Washington Irving in one of these rooms, where he found inspiration to write his famous work, 'Tales of the Alhambra'.

Of the three rooms, only one is accessible to visitors at the Alhambra: the office, which was decorated by Pedro Machuca in 1532.

The rooms where the writer Washington Irving and the Queen's Hairdresser lived are spaces reserved for special visits due to conservation reasons.

The Emperor's Rooms connect to the Comares Tower through a beautiful wooden balustrade offering impressive views of the Albaycín and Patio de la Reja.

As we descend the stairs, we arrive at this patio where you'll find benches for resting.

Named after the latticed corridor that was installed here in the 17th century, it served as the access point to the Baño de Comares when it was open to the public for general visits.

The Comares Bath (Baño de Comares)

Each palace in the Alhambra had its own hammam or bath, which were essential components of Nasrid architecture, much like the oratory.

The Comares Bath is also known as the Royal Bath, as it was chosen by Catholic Monarchs for their exclusive use.

It is the best-preserved medieval Islamic bath in the West and the only Andalusian bathhouse with poems incorporated into its decoration.

Although it is almost completely preserved, only a few of its rooms are open to the public, and this happens on rare occasions.

We first enter the rest or bedroom. The fountain, pavement, plasterwork, and columns are mostly original from the Nasrid period.

A passage leads us to the bathroom, featuring a beautiful vault adorned with starry skylights, which were covered with glass to regulate the steam that emanated.

The visit continues through the Lindaraja Patio, which we were already able to observe from the viewpoint that shares the same name.

With the construction of the Emperor's Rooms (which now surround it), this patio was closed off and later redesigned in the form of a cloister, incorporating some Nasrid pieces sourced from other parts of the Alhambra, including the columns and the fountain cup.

The original baroque-style fountain can be viewed at the Alhambra Museum.

The Partal Palace and Gardens - the Oldest Nasrid Palace

We leave the Patio de Lindaraja and find ourselves in the gardens of the oldest of the Nasrid palaces: the Partal Palace.

Constructed at the beginning of the 14th century (likely during the reign of Muhammad III), only the north pavilion remains, featuring its renowned Torre de las Damas, the emblematic portico, the large pool, and the recently restored oratory.

This beautiful palace, whose portico is one of the icons of the Alhambra, served as the residence of a German family until 1891.

The original coffered ceiling that once adorned the dome of the room in the Torre de las Damas can now be found in the Museum of Art Islamic of Berlin.

The small oratory was constructed during the reign of Yusuf I. While entry is not permitted, you can still admire the exterior, which features a beautiful mihrab adorned with a muqarnas dome.

On the other hand, Jardines del Partal is one of the most beautiful places in the Alhambra. Observe the impressive towers as you approach the Generalife on foot.

This land was formerly occupied by the residences of soldiers and servants who served the palace.

---

Was this information helpful? Have you visited these sights? We'd love to

hear your thoughts.

© Copyright • LoveGranada.com • Any use of the content, including copying of it in whole or in part is prohibited.

Follow us on our social networks

If you find this information useful, please share it