Partal, Nasrid palace in Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Partal is a Nasrid palace featuring a columned hall with five arches that opens onto a central reflecting pool and is framed by surrounding towers. The structure spreads across multiple connected rooms and courtyards that together form a complete residential complex.
The palace was built between 1302 and 1309 under Sultan Muhammad III and remains the oldest surviving palace structure within the Alhambra complex. Its construction marked a turning point in the complex's architecture and demonstrated new approaches to palace design.
The wall decorations show detailed tile work and plaster carving that reflect the skill of craftspeople who worked here. You can see in the adjoining rooms how residents lived and what artistic patterns they valued.
Visiting during daytime works best, as sunlight illuminates the water features and facades, making decorative details visible throughout the space. Comfortable shoes are recommended since pathways are narrow and there are varied elevation changes to navigate.
The intricately carved wooden ceiling from the Tower of the Ladies was removed in the 1800s and now sits in Berlin's Museum für Islamische Kunst. This displacement shows how important artworks from European buildings found their way into museums.
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