The Partal Alhambra - Information and pictures of the Partal in the Alhambra

The Partal of the Alhambra is the area including the Tower of the Ladies and the Gardens. The Tower of the Ladies, or Torre de las Damas with its open portico and pool in front can be found next to the Courtyard of the Lions. Back in the days this area had some nice little houses and beautiful gardens. Now you can still find nicely kept gardens with flower beds.

General info Partal of the Alhambra

Opening times Partal of the Alhambra: The Partal of the Alhambra is part of the Alhambra and follows the opening times of the Alhambra

Tickets and Guided Tours Courtyard of the Partal: More information on tickets and Guided tours Alhambra

Accessibility Partal: More information on accessibility Alhambra

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The Tower of the Ladies – The Palace of Yusuf III – The Towers of the Alhambra

Tower of the Ladies

The Tower of the Ladies had a beautiful reflecting pool in front where you can take a great picture of the building itself and it’s reflecting in the water. From here you can see the gardens of the Partal, the Albaicin and the orchards of the Generalife.

Partal Alhambra The pillars of the building had to be replaced since the original pillars were in bad shape. The Tower of the
Ladies was built between 1302 – 1309 during the reign of Muhammad III

Next to the Tower of the Ladies you can find small Muslim houses. The garden has been restored. The architect, Torres Balbas restored the gardens so well that no one even voiced their criticism of the restoration work.

The Partal is enclosed by a wall and defence towers. Back in the days these defences were needed to keep invaders out of the Alhambra.

There is also a small Mosque in the Partal area were the people who lived here could pray.

The Palace of Yusuf III

Church ST Mary Alhambra The Palace of Yusuf III was built between 1408 – 1417. It was the residence of the governors of the Alhambra until 1718. Afterwards the Palace of demolished. The Palace has now been transformed in a maze. There is evidence that suggest that the Palace had a similar design and grandeur than other Palaces in the Alhambra.

You can now follow the path which leads alongside the battlements from the Nasrid Palaces to the Generalife. Along the way you can see the remains of buildings. These days the gardeners maintain some nice flower beds in the gardens.

In the Partal you can also see the Church of St. Mary. Christians built it next to the Muslim Mosque.

The Towers of the Alhambra

There are still 22 towers in existence today. In the past the Alhambra was defended by more than 30 towers along the walls. Most towers were used to defend the Alhambra and its inhabitants. The water Towers Alhambra tower had a second role to play. It was the defense of the aqueduct which was vital to the water supply of the whole city. The tower and gate of seven floor sustained the most damage in 1812 when Napoleon tried to breach the Alhambra.

The Justice gate was always a main entrance to the Alhambra. It was built in 1348 by Yusuf I. Now you can enter the Alhambra via the Justice Gate. If you already have your ticket pre-purchased and walk up the hill from Granada city center. It’s the first gate that you will come across.

The tower of the captive princess and the tower of the princesses did both serve defense and living purposes. They have normal living quarters and are decorated by nice mosaic and stucco works.