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.

FAQs for Visiting Torre de las Abencerrajes

Can I see the Torre de las Abencerrajes today?
Only fragmentary traces remain, and it is difficult to identify without knowing exactly where to look.

Was the tower part of a palace?
Yes. It stood beside the Palacio de los Abencerrajes, whose ruins are more visible today.

Why is the tower so damaged?
It was heavily destroyed in the French explosion of 1812, which affected many structures along the south wall.

Is the tower accessible?
No. Visitors can only view its approximate location from pathways near the Puerta de los Carros or from within the reconstructed palace ruins.

Why is it associated with the Abencerrajes?
The name relates to the Nasrid Abencerrajes family, although later romantic tales have blurred historical fact with legend.

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!

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