Oratorio del Partal, oratory in Granada, Spain

The Oratorio del Partal is a small palace mosque in the Alhambra complex in Granada, Spain. It consists of a prayer room with a decorated wooden ceiling and walls covered in carved plaster with inscriptions and plant motifs.

The Oratorio del Partal was built between 1333 and 1354 during the reign of the Nasrid Sultan Yusuf I. It was restored in 1846 by Rafael Contreras and again in 1930 by Leopoldo Torres Balbás, and a major restoration took place from 2013 to 2017.

The name "Partal" comes from the Arabic word for portico, referring to the open gallery that was part of the original palace. Today, the oratory is a stop on the Alhambra tour, where visitors can see the blend of Islamic and Christian elements in its decoration.

Visitors can find this small oratory in the Partal area of the Alhambra, near the Palace of the Partal and the Arab houses. It is best visited in the morning when the area is less crowded, and comfortable shoes are recommended for the uneven paths.

The restoration project uncovered previously unknown 14th-century inscriptions and decorative elements, including carpentry techniques that were not known in the Alhambra before. This work earned the Europa Nostra Heritage Award in 2019 for its scientific approach.