Habitaciones de Carlos V

Historic Room in Granada

Part Of A Coffered Wooden Ceiling In The “Emperors Chamber” Of Alhambra Of Granada, Spain. It Shows The Motto “Plus Oultre” Of Charles V, And The Letters “K” For Karolus, An Y For Isabel (of Portugal), His Wife. — CC BY-SA 1.0 / Jebulon

Ceiling In Habitaciones De Carlos V, Alhambra — CC BY-SA 3.0 / AdriPozuelo

Habitaciones De Carlos V, Alhambra — CC BY-SA 3.0 / AdriPozuelo

The Habitaciones de Carlos V or Apartments of Carlos V are a suite of rooms to the north of the Palacio de los Leones. It is part of the Palacio Nazaríes in the Alhambra Complex, in Granada, Spain.

Where are the Habitaciones de Carlos V located?

Two of the rooms of the Habitaciones de Carlos V are located between the Patio de la Reja and the Jardín de Daraxa. The other four rooms are located to the north of the Jardín de Daraxa. In the corridor to get to them from the Palacio de los Leones you will see the roof and the upper room of the El Baño de Comares.

The History of the Habitaciones de Carlos V

In June 1526 the Emperor Carlos V came to Granada with his wife Isabel de Portugal and stayed in the Alhambra. The Emperor was so impressed by the Alhambra Complex that he decided to establish the Imperial headquarters here.

Thus in 1528 the there began the construction of six “new rooms” around the Muslim palaces, which formed an “imperial suite”. They were accessed through a corridor to the upper floor of the El Baño de Comares, which was changed to become an entrance. The rooms were completed in 1537.

They are rooms were conceived as accommodation for Carlos V while the works of his even larger palace was being completed, but he never lived in them.

The rooms of the Habitaciones de Carlos V

The rooms of the Patio de la Reja and the Jardín de Daraxa

The first two rooms located between the Patio de la Reja and the Jardín de Daraxa. They have square coffered ceilings. In the frieze of one of them we can read: “Imperator Karolus V Hispaniarum rex semper augustus pius foelix invictissimus” which says “The King of Spain and Emperor the most Pious Charles V“and the motto “Plus oultre” which means “Further beyond“. On the front wall is a fireplace with winged monsters in relief.

Washington Irving Rooms

The other four rooms, located north of the Jardín de Daraxa, are known as the Washington Irving Rooms. They were inhabited by the American writer, Washington Irving in 1829, during his visit to Granada. Before you enter the rooms there is a marble plaque on the wall, placed in 1914 in memory of the him.

The first room is called the Emperor’s office has a fireplace with the imperial emblems and a coffered ceiling. In the second chamber the coffered ceiling is even more exquisitely decorated.

The other two rooms, are called Habitaciones de las Frutas or the Chambers of the Fruits due to the drawings of fruit on their spectacular wooden ceiling.. They are smaller, and also feature the motto “Plus oultre” as part of the decoration.

From these chambers you may access the Torre del Peinador de la Reina and the Galería del Peinador or Gallery of the Dressing Room. They were built in the 16th century on the walk by the ramparts and restored in 1842 in the old style.

The Washington Irving Rooms are usually only open during the Space of the month program.

The Habitaciones de Carlos V appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Granada!

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Visiting Habitaciones de Carlos V

Hours:

For opening times of the Habitaciones de Carlos V see Alhambra Opening Times.

Entrance to this part of the Alhambra is usually restricted and cannot be visited during the ordinary visit of the Alhambra Complex. It may also be included in the “Space of the Month” program, where it will be open one month of the year.

Price:

The Habitaciones de Carlos V is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour.

Duration: 10 minutes

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