Places and Spots in the Alhambra: Partal Gardens (Alhambra)

Partal Gardens (Alhambra)

Short description of the monument

Leaving the “Rauda” and following the way up to the esplanade where the “Damas” tower we find the “Partal” gardens. At this same site the gardens that surrounded the royal palaces were located, distributed on different levels that later became occupied by the rooms of the Emperor Carlos V.

During the Arab period it housed several buildings of magnates, that lived around the Royal Palace. The most outstanding of these is the “Damas” tower.

The “Partal” gardens are an amazing place for walking or making a stop during the visit to the Alhambra of Granada.

History of the monument

Of the old palaces constructed on this site, only the “Portico” Palace has partially remained, of which the “Damas” tower still exists. This palace, probably from Muhammad III period, is the oldest that remains at the Alhambra. This fact makes us think that the first “nazarie” kings, established their residence on this area. The palace is built above the wall and it consists of a square hall, inside the “Damas” tower, a five arched porticoe before a large pond and a small “mirador” over the building.

At the left of this building we find three small Arabic houses, constructed after the Palace, which still keep in their inside Arab paintings of great value, but these are not open to the public. To the right of the pond we find the “Mihrab” tower, which still has in its interior a small oratory decorated in times of Yusuf I.

Going through the gardens, we can find on the right side a tower or “Cuba”, called the “Rauda” tower, which communicates with the Palace of the Lions, and that has in its interior a very interesting vault. Next to it we can find the ruins of the Royal Cemetery or “Rauda” from which the tower takes its name.

Going back to the gardens, we see the ruins of several palaces, since in this area the Moslem nobiliary resided. The most important one was the Palace of Yusuf III or “de los Condes de Tendilla”, with a similar floor plan as the Comares Palace. This palace was demolished in the 18th century; it was said of being one of the most magnificent palaces of the Alhambra. The visit continues from here through the “Paseo de las Torres”.

Bibliography

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

Web sites:

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

• http://granada.costasur.com/es/jardines-del-partal.html

• http://bolita0001.eresmas.net/granada/alhambra/partal/partal.html

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