Patio de los Arrayanes

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The courtyard is officially named the Patio de los Arrayanes because of the manicured myrtle bushes that line its central reflection pool.

2. 2

   It acts as a functional architectural device, using evaporating water from the pool to cool the surrounding palace rooms during hot Andalusian summers.

3. 3

   The grand reflection pool was designed to mirror the multi-arched northern portico and the imposing height of the Comares Tower.

4. 4

   The southern portico features original 14th-century Nasrid columns with sculpted capitals that show rare surviving traces of their original gilding and pigments.

5. 5

   The northern facade of the courtyard conceals the Hall of the Ambassadors, which contains the largest domed ceiling in the Alhambra.

6. 6

   Water flows into the central pool via small marble basins concealed at both the northern and southern extremes, ensuring a completely still surface that maximizes reflection.

7. 7

   The plasterwork surrounding the porticoes contains recurring calligraphic inscriptions of the Nasrid dynasty motto: There is no victor but God.

8. 8

   The courtyard was heavily modified during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs and later during the construction of the adjacent Palace of Charles V, yet retained its core Islamic layout.

Overview

The Patio de los Arrayanes, also known as the Court of the Myrtles, is the centerpiece of the Comares Palace within the Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Built during the 14th century under the reign of Yusuf I and Muhammad V, it features a long, central rectangular reflection pool flanked by manicured myrtle hedges. The pool visually expands the space and creates a cooling microclimate, reflecting the ornate arched porticoes at both northern and southern ends. The southern portico is supported by slender columns featuring intricate capitals, while the northern facade rises into the massive Torre de Comares. Intricate polychrome tilework and carved stucco inscriptions adorn the surrounding walls, showcasing advanced Moorish architectural design. The courtyard served as the official reception area and political heart of the Nasrid emirs, symbolizing wealth, power, and paradise. Today, it remains one of the most celebrated examples of Islamic architecture in Europe.

Insider tips

• Book your general Alhambra ticket several months in advance, specifically selecting an entry time slot that aligns with your scheduled access to the Nasrid Palaces.

• Visit during the first morning entry slot to experience the courtyard with fewer crowds and capture completely still water reflections.

• Walk slowly around the perimeter to observe the subtle asymmetries built into the Moorish masonry.