Gallery
Description
Property Name: Palace of Lions
Inventory No: 34-958-5
Date of infill of the inventory form: 2007-10-30
Country (State party): Spain
Province: Granada
Town:
Geographic coordinates: 38° 53′ 51.5″ N
3° 3′ 4″ W
Historic Period: Nasrid
Year of Construction: 1370-1391
Style: Moorish
Original Use: Palace
Current Use: Museum
Architect: Unknown
Significance
The Palace of the Lions adjoins the Palace of Mrytles to the southeast and it was built between the years 1370 and 1391, by Muhammad V. It consists of a central arcaded courtyard with a fountain surrounded by 12 lion figures which divide the courtyard into four different halls that are called the Hall of the Two Sisters to the north, the Hall of the Abencerrajes to the south, and the Hall of the Kings to the east. The palace contains the private chambers of the royal family and it is where Nasrid art achieved its greatest degree of magnificence. Light, water, colors, and exquisite decoration turn this palace into a marvelous pleasure for the senses and shows incomparable sensibility and harmony.
Selection Criteria
i. to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius
iii. to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared
iv. to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history
State of Preservation
The Palace of Lions is well preserved with its landscape and the pool as a result of constant maintanence .
References
Fernandez-Puertas, Antonio. La Fachada del Palaco de Comares The Facade of the Palace of Comares, Granada, Patronato de la Alhambra, 1980.
Antequera, Marino, Die Alhambra und Der Generalife. Verlagsantal, Granada, Spain, 1966
Archnet Web Site: http://archnet.org
Alhambra Web Site: http://www.alhambradegranada.org
Viva Granada Web Site: http://www.vivagranada.com