Visiting the Palace of Charles V, at the Alhambra, was a remarkable experience. Being part of the Alhambra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace holds significant historical value. Constructed in the 16th century, it is relatively newer than the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, and other structures it is nestled between. It adds contrast within the Alhambra complex thanks to its Renaissance-style architecture. The palace is able to command its own audience, despite the many marvels that surround it.
Appreciating its Renaissance architecture
This palace was commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V (1516-1556), to represent the triumph of Christianity over Islam in the region. It has a distinctive Roman-style architecture which the emperor requested. And it has a very large circular courtyard that was unique at the time of its construction. It almost resembles a colosseum with its courtyard framed by a double-level colonnade. The palace really is striking given its location and its circular courtyard design with perfect symmetry, amidst the symmetrical quadrilateral designs of its exterior and that of connecting buildings. The photo below shows the large square exterior in the upper right-hand of the photo, and how it is immersed into the complex (even attached to some of the older buildings around it) the history of the Alhambra.
The palace is open to the public with an Alhambra general admission ticket, and you do not have to reserve a specific time for your visit. When we visited, there was no line to enter. The palace houses two museums: the Fine Arts Museum of Granada and the Alhambra Museum. The photos below show the circular courtyard inside the palace, which is also shown in the cover photo for this post.
Photo Above: View of upper colonnade.
Photo Above: View looking down from upper colonnade, into the circular courtyard.
Photo Above: View from ground, looking across the circular courtyard.
Studying the artistic treasures hidden here
We began our visit with the upper floor, which houses the Fine Arts Museum of Granada. Something that we didn’t know about this museum is that it opened in 1839 and was one of the first public museums in Spain! The museum collection includes approximately 2000 sculptures and paintings from the 16th to 20th centuries. The collection is primarily drawn from the Catholic Church, but includes some other items like portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. I am not an art historian or any self-proclaimed expert in this area. However, I do enjoy viewing and reflecting on the artwork. Some pieces in this collection were rather dark pieces depicting death or suffering.
Photo Above: The piece above is from artist Juan Ramirez de Arellano, a Spanish baroque painter. It depicts five scenes of martyrs.
Photo Above: I zoomed in for a closer look of the beheading of St. Hermenegild (586). King Hermenegild was beheaded on his father’s orders for unrelenting in his Catholic faith.
Photo Above: The painting above is called the Immaculate Conception (1618) from Spanish painter Juan Sanchez Cotan.
Photo Above: These are two additional paintings from Juan Sanchez Cotan.
Silenced by the suffering depicting by sculpture
I don’t really know how to describe the sculptures below. I think the images speak for themselves. I was captivated in silence by the deep emotion and suffering depicted by these sculptures.
Photo Above: The bruising on his face and blood stains frame deep despair.
Photo Above: Similarly, her face depicted deep sorrow and the nails are blood stained.
Photo Above: This sculpture shows so much emotion, I can feel their anguish as they carry the lifeless body of Jesus.
Centering myself in the history of the Alhambra
The museum staff of the Fine Arts Museum of Granada made a significant effort to ensure our family was aware of the additional museum downstairs (which we weren’t so we were thankful for their efforts). We ventured downstairs to discover the Alhambra Museum. The museum contains exhibits with art and artifacts from the early Islamic era of Granada through the Nasrid period.
Photo Above: The Vase of Gazelles dates back to 1370-1380, from the times of Sultan Muhammed V (shown above). The vase is decorated with gazelles at the center of the body, giving the case its name. It was a symbol of power and luxury.
Photo Above: This Nasrid portable throne, shown in the photo above, was pretty cool too! Perhaps another symbol of luxury even.
Photo Above: Two very old copies of the Qur’an or Koran (the religious text of Islam) are also on display.
Planning a Visit
Alhambra official website:
Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Opening hours and prices:
Opening hours and prices – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Online Official Tickets:
Home – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Important information about your ticket:
- You must present your official ID card or passport at the entrance to enter the monumental complex.
- Punctuality is very important for accessing the Nasrid Palaces!
- Carry the QR code for your ticket in physical or digital format.
Interactive Alhambra Map:
Helpful tips to know in advance of your visit:
Helpful tips – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Information on official App and Audioguides:
Audioguides – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Getting around Granada and Alhambra:
Our family purchased the 10 EUR Travel Card on board a bus, and shared the card during our visit. Rides were discounted at the time to .42 to .44 cents using this card, compared with 1.40 EUR for a single ride ticket. We paid 2 EUR for the initial card, plus the value. Then you can top it off as needed. More information on the Granada tourist buses which provide transportation to all the tourist sites is available from here.
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