Places and Spots in the Alhambra: The “Vela” Tower (Alhambra)

The “Vela” Tower (Alhambra)

Short description of the monument

This is the tower with the biggest dimensions. It is a square shaped tower, measuring 16 meters on each side by 26,80 meters high. It has four floors and an underground floor with a silo and an underground dungeon. The top of the tower originally had merlons, but in 1522 they were destroyed by an earthquake.

History of the monument

This is the most symbolic tower of the Alhambra. On the top it had a bell used by the Arabs to announce disasters. From its privileged position a large extension of the territory is controlled: all the “Vega” (flatland) of Granada, the hill tops, the districts, etc, and therefore it was a very important tower for the defence and protection of the fortress.

The floor plan of this tower is square, and it measures 16 meters on each side by 26,80 meters high. The base of this construction is solid and it has four floors or levels with arches supported by pillars. For some time, this tower was used as a dwelling and therefore its aspect has changed compared with its original look. Until the 16th century it had merlons on the second floor. The actual placement of the bell on the west façade dates from 1840 and later it had to be mended as a consequence of being hit by a thunderbolt in 1882.

The bell is the great protagonist of this tower. Formerly, the ringing was used as a night clock for the farmers of the “Vega” (agricultural land) to water their lands. It began ringing from 8:00 to 9:30 in the evening and continued ringing at intervals and with different sounds until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning, depending on the season. It has also been used to warn the people of Granada in case of danger. Nowadays, every year on January 2nd, the bell and the tower recuperate the protagonism of old times. To commemorate the date when the Catholic Kings took over Granada, there is a tradition that says that any single female of the town that rings the bell on January 2nd, will get married before the end of the year.

The scenery that we can admire from the tower is absolutely marvellous. At a glance we can see the whole city, Sierra Nevada, the “Vega” lands and the villages around the city.

Bibliography

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

Web sites:

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

• http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/averroes/recursos_informaticos/andared01/alhambra/
alcazaba/torrevela.htm

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