Court of the Sultana's Cypress

The arcaded building dates from 1584, and in front of it lies an intimate garden courtyard in Baroque taste. As we have seen, the whole space was originally occupied by the palace baths, of which apparently nothing remains except perhaps the inlet of water from the canal that must have supplied them before flowing on to the neighbouring courtyard; it can be seen as a cascade through the opening in the side wall.

In the centre there is a U-shaped pool, in the middle of which a smaller one was placed in the 19th century, with a little stone fountain rising from it.

The whole courtyard is surrounded by water jets that create a cool atmosphere, which deeply impressed Andrea Navagero, ambassador of the Republic of Venice, when he visited the Generalife in 1526.

From this courtyard you can follow the exit route through a small door in the south corner, which leads back to the Court of the Water Channel and the rest of the visit to the Alhambra.

If you have time and don't mind climbing some stairs, you can visit the upper part of the Generalife estate through the gateway in the middle of the courtyard, opposite the gallery.