Casa del Chapiz

Casa del Chapiz is a 16th-century palace consisting of two connected structures that display Islamic architectural elements including arches, columns, and garden layouts. The two sections show the height of Moorish design with traditional details unfolding across multiple levels.

The palace was built in the 16th century as part of the larger Dar al-Bayda complex before being seized from its Morisco owners in 1571. This transfer to the Crown marked a turning point that led to changes in how the place was used over time.

The building has served as the School of Arab Studies for nearly a century, dedicating itself to research and preservation of Islamic scholarship and culture. Visitors can experience the connection between the structure itself and its role as a center for understanding this historical period.

Access is best on foot through the narrow lanes of the Albaicín district, with the building located in a quiet area on Camino del Sacromonte. The rooms are walkable at ground level and best visited during daytime when natural light highlights the architecture.

The central courtyard features an original elongated pool surrounded by white marble columns salvaged from earlier Nasrid constructions. These repurposed columns show how later residents incorporated materials from previous building periods into the structure.