Torre del Homenaje

Tower in Granada

The Torre del Homenaje or Tower of Homage is a trapezoid enclosure existed in Granada before the Alcazaba was set up.

Torre del Homenaje held immense defensive importance due to its impressive height. It is 26 meters high, which is only slightly surpassed by the Torre de la Vela, which is 27 meters high. From its battlements not only did it dominated the Alhambra, it could also could see the watchtowers scattered by the surrounding mountains.

Over the years Torre del Homenaje  has functioned as a warehouse, prison and watch tower.

It was the residence of Pedro de Añasco, a Spanish conquistador, for a few years, which is why it is also known by the name of Torre de Añasco.

What does the Torre del Homenaje look like?

Architecturally they are buildings that have no decoration whatsoever, due to their high practical and defensive level. The structure is quite unremarkable and utilitarian in terms of architectural decoration.

It has a pyramidal figure and is attached to the perimeter wall of the Alcazaba. It is made up of six floors, at something less than 25 meters high, highlighting the dungeon-silo on its ground floor, closed and dark, which served both as a prison and a warehouse for grains, spices and salts.

Where is the Torre del Homenaje

The Torre del Homenaje is located in the northeast corner of the Alcazaba and forms the eastern defensive line of it. It serves to protect and monitor the Alcazaba and the Nasrid Palaces.

History of the Torre del Homenaje

The tower is thought to have been ordered to be built by al-Ahmar on the top of an older tower that may well have belonged to the 9th century.

When the Nasrid dynasty moved to Alhambra, the erstwhile ruler Mohamed I established his first tower at the Torre del Homenaje. The Alcazaba walls were strengthened and it was transformed into an impregnable fortress with the introduction of Torre del Homenaje.

The Torre del Homenaje appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Granada!

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Visiting Torre del Homenaje

Hours:

For opening times of the Torre del Homenaje see Alhambra Opening Times.


Price:

The Torre del Homenaje is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour.

Duration: 20 minutes

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