Torre de las Abencerrajes, Granada

©

The Torre de las Abencerrajes is one of the most elusive structures in the Alhambra Complex. Once a small defensive tower attached to a grand Nasrid palace, it is now so ruined that most visitors walk straight past without realising it is there. Hidden among the trees of the Alhambra Forest on the outside and almost absorbed into the remains of the Palacio de los Abencerrajes on the inside, it appeals most to those who enjoy tracking down quiet, half-forgotten corners. For history lovers, it is one of the things to do in Granada if you want to go beyond the headline sights and imagine the Alhambra as a living fortified city.

Rather than projecting boldly from the ramparts, the Torre de las Abencerrajes ran almost flush and parallel with the wall, giving it a more discreet profile even in its prime. Today, after explosions, demolitions, and reconstructions, you will find only traces of its footprint, but with a bit of imagination-and a good map-you can still place it in the defensive jigsaw of the south wall, often visited on walking tours of Granada that focus on the Alhambra's ruined palaces and outer fortifications.

History of the Torre de las Abencerrajes

The Torre de las Abencerrajes formed part of the defensive system that protected the southern wall of the Alhambra. It stood beside the Palacio de los Abencerrajes, a Nasrid-era residence that once occupied this section of the wall. Both the palace and the tower suffered significant destruction in 1812, when Napoleon's retreating troops detonated explosives across many parts of the Alhambra. Much of the tower collapsed in the blast, and what little remained was later incorporated into the 19th- and 20th-century reconstructions of the surrounding palace ruins.

The tower was linked to the Abencerrajes family, a noble Nasrid lineage whose dramatic downfall was famously romanticised in later chronicles and literature. Although the tower has also been referred to as the Accounting Tower, due to a grant made by the Catholic Monarchs in 1501 to Don Juan Chacón, Senior Accountant of the Royal Council, it is unclear whether this name correctly applies to this structure or to another nearby tower.

Archaeological remains are now extremely sparse. The tower no longer projects from the wall but is aligned parallel to it, blending almost invisibly into the surrounding vegetation and the reconstructed outlines of the Palacio de los Abencerrajes. Today its location can be identified only through careful observation of the wall fabric and topographical clues.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.9 (35)

Sala de los Abencerrajes, tucked in the Alhambra complex at C. Real de la Alhambra s/n, is a highly decorated hall famed for its ornate stucco, arches and a star-shaped muqarnas cupola that appears to float above the room; visitors recommend pausing in the center to admire the ceiling details and experience the exceptional acoustics and echo, note the reddish marks on the central marble often tied to the site's dramatic legends, and appreciate that the intricate ceiling decoration survives largely intact.

David Smith

5 years ago

"The "Sala de las Dos Hermanas" (Hall of the Two Sisters) is where the Sultan kept his favourite women. Yet another room with intricate architectureto visit in the Palace...."

See More See Less

Joe Desourdie

a year ago

"Detail was very impressive and not too crowded with the timed entrance."

Hope Reynolds

6 years ago

"Our travel to Spain 2019 was filled with adventure, great food & wine and history. Imagine what it meant to us to be able to visit The Alhambra inGranada. The Hall of Abencerrajes was of particular interest as we stood in the place where knights were executed. Don't miss it!..."

See More See Less

FAQs for Visiting Torre de las Abencerrajes

Nearby Attractions to the Torre de las Abencerrajes

• Puerta de los Carros: A 16th-century gate created to bring construction materials into the Alhambra during the building of the Palace of Charles V.
• Torre de las Cabezas: A defensive tower on the south wall, located just east of the Abencerrajes Tower.
• Palacio de los Abencerrajes: The ruined Nasrid palace adjacent to the tower, partially reconstructed to show its original layout.
• Puerta de la Justicia: One of the most iconic exterior gates of the Alhambra, known for its monumental horseshoe arch.
• Bosque de la Alhambra: The forested slopes around the complex, offering shaded paths and access routes to lesser-known structures.

The Torre de las Abencerrajes appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Granada!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Nearby Attractions

• Camino de Ronda (0.0) km
  Street
• Torre de las Cabezas (0.1) km
  Tower
• Puerta de los Carros (0.1) km
  City Gate
• Angel Barrios Museum (0.1) km
  Museum
• Alhambra Complex (0.1) km
  Castle, Gardens, Notable Building and Palace
• Baño de la Mezquita (0.1) km
  Baths
• Puerta de Birrambla (0.1) km
  City Gate
• Church of Santa María de La Encarnación (0.1) km
  Church
• Jardines del Partal (0.1) km
  Gardens
• Torre de la Bruja (0.1) km
  Tower