Page 19 - All About History - Issue 70-18

The emperor’s chambers Banqueting hall
While Charles V famously renovated the The Sala de los Reyes means Hall of the Kings
Alhambra, destroying Moorish original and it was an important location since it is where
features to build his Renaissance-style large feasts and celebrations took place. Divided
halls, these chambers were aside into seven parts with a large space 30 metres
for him while the building work was long, it was located in the Palace of the Lions and
completed. Though they were lavishly it got its name from the 10 kings of the Nasrid
decorated, the Holy Roman Emperor dynasty painted on the ceiling by Christian artists
never deigned to actually stay in them. in the 14th century showing scenes of chivalry.

The Court of the Myrtle Hall of the Abencerrajes
The Court of the Myrtles or Patio de los The rival North African family
Arrayanes is one of the oldest and best- Abencerraj were believed to have been
preserved courtyards in the Alhambra. murdered, having been locked in the
It takes its name from the brilliant green hall on the orders of Muhammad XII,
myrtle bushes accentuate the whiteness the last Nasrid ruler of the kingdom of
of the surrounding stone. It also boasts Granada. It is said he grew angry when
a 34-metres-long pond, which used to one of the family’s knights fell in love
be home to sparkling goldfish. with his wife.

Long road Court of the Lions
The main road of the Medina of The main courtyard of the Palacio de los
Alhambra was the Calle Real, or the Leones was commissioned by Muhammad
Royal Street as it’s known in English. V of Granada some time after 1362. Its
It cut through the palace and architecture was a mix of Moorish and
fortress complex, thereby creating Christian influences and it measured 35
north and south sections. To the metres in length and 20 metres in width, with
north were the palaces and gardens 124 white marble columns surrounding it. The
enjoyed by the nobility. To the courtyard is divided into four to symbolise
south was a smaller residential area four parts of the world and there’s a fountain © Adrian Mann
with mosques and bathhouses. of 12 lions in the centre, hence the name.

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