Places and Spots in the Alhambra: The Harem (Alhambra)

The Harem (Alhambra)

Short description of the monument

The “Harem” was a space exclusive for women. An extraordinary carved balcony (which would have had a lattice window), opened to the courtyard by three arches, allowed the monarch to look upon his concubines.

History of the monument

Contrary to the idea that people have of a harem, this was the house of the monarch, where there were no official receptions and no protocol; in conclusion, where the monarch made his family life inside the Palace.

The general concept of a harem is where the sultan kept his wives away from the rest of the world, constantly watched by eunuchs, and where only the sultan could enter. On the contrary, the tradition says that one day Mahomet was playing with his grandchildren, but since the prophet used to receive visits from friends and faithfuls without previous appointment, one day the group of faithful drew the curtain, behind which the monarch was rolling on the floor with his grandchildren. Mahomet did not like to be seen in this situation. After this, Mahomet told his followers it was necessary to habilitate a place in the house for family use only, where visitors would not be allowed to enter.

Maybe that is why this private room, inside the Palace, has been called the Harem, where the three wives of the sultan lived, although the fourth wife “the favourite” (sultans usually had four wives) lived separated from the rest, probably at the “Torre de la Cautiva” (the Captive Tower) where “Dña. Isabel de Solís” (known in Granada as “Zoraya” and who was thought to be the favourite of “Muley Hacén”) resided.

To enter the Harem we have to go through a corridor illuminated by arches with lattice windows and lacework spandrels, finding in the center the balcony of the south gallery of the Lion’s Courtyard. Of these rooms, only the courtyard remains, which occupies the center and has two porticoes with three arches supported by columns. A central arch, at the eastern porticoe, gives way to the rooms, which were the same as those on the western side (that disappeared when the Palace of Carlos V was constructed). The walls of the courtyard are decorated with painted socles in ochre, blue and black and with a carved eave decorated with scrolls and inscriptions of praise to the sultan carved in plaster, as well as the motto of the dynasty.

Bibliography

• “Granada en tus manos. Alhambra y Generalife”. Author: Carlos Vílchez Vílchez. Ideal – 2006.

Web sites:

• http://www.alhambradegranada.org/historia/alhambraHaren.asp

The Royal Palace

Introduction

Mexuar

Oratory

The Golden Room Courtyard

Golden Room

The Comares Palace

The Arrayanes Courtyard

The Barca Hall

The Comares Tower

The Embajadores Hall

The Lion’s Palace