Court of the Myrtles, Moorish patio in Alhambra, Granada, Spain
The Court of the Myrtles is a rectangular courtyard within the Alhambra palace complex, defined by a central water basin and symmetrical hedge-lined edges. Marble columns line the arcaded galleries that rise on all four sides and open the space upward.
The courtyard was created in the 14th century under Sultan Yusuf I as the heart of the Comares Palace, where major state affairs and ceremonies took place. It stood as a central gathering place for court life and represented the power and prosperity of the sultanate.
The courtyard takes its name from the myrtle shrubs lining its edges, which symbolize purity and beauty in Islamic tradition. The water surface in the center mirrors the surrounding arcaded galleries, creating a sense of harmony that is typical of Moorish gardens.
The courtyard is accessible to visitors during regular Alhambra opening hours and requires a valid ticket to the palace complex. Plan time to explore the surrounding chambers and halls that open directly from this courtyard.
The adjacent Hall of Ambassadors contains a spectacular wooden coffered ceiling with hundreds of geometric patterns representing levels of heaven in Islamic cosmology. This ceiling served as a symbol of connection between earthly and heavenly realms, reflected in the building's design.
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