Torre de la Cautiva, Medieval defensive tower in Alhambra, Granada, Spain.
Torre de la Cautiva is a residential tower within the Alhambra complex featuring a square central hall connected by double arches to an interior courtyard. The walls display geometric patterns and ceramic tiles throughout, creating an ornate interior space.
Sultan Yusuf I commissioned this residential fortification between 1333 and 1354 as part of the broader Alhambra complex. It reflects the artistic peak of the Nasrid dynasty during that period.
Verses by poet Ibn al-Yayyab are carved into the walls in calligraphy, becoming visible as you move through the rooms. These inscriptions were meant to be read and reflected upon by those who lived here.
Entry requires a general Alhambra ticket; access times align with the main complex hours. Visiting early in the day helps avoid crowds and allows time to read the inscriptions on the walls.
The base tiles are unusually purple, a rare color choice in medieval Islamic architecture that was difficult to produce. This material choice signals the wealth and sophistication of whoever lived here.
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