Torre de las Abencerrajes, Granada

Tower in Granada

Torre de las Abencerrajes is a ruined tower in Granada, within the Alhambra Complex, where it sat along the south wall beside the former Palacio de los Abencerrajes. It was part of the Nasrid defensive system rather than a standalone monument, and today it survives only as traces in the wall fabric and reconstructed ruins around it.

What visitors notice now is mostly its quiet location and its low, hard-to-read outline. The tower no longer reads as a separate structure, so it appeals more to people interested in the Alhambra’s defensive layout and damaged remains than to anyone looking for a clear, intact monument. It is a brief stop, best for visitors who like comparing present-day walls with older fortress plans and who do not mind a site that takes a bit of effort to identify.

History of the Torre de las Abencerrajes
FAQs for Visiting Torre de las Abencerrajes

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...."

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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!..."

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Brian Thompson

3 years ago

"i think i was here, not sure"

Observador silencioso

2 months ago

"One of the most beautiful rooms in the Palace of the Lions, known for its muqarnas dome that appears to float above the room. Legend has it that theAbencerraje knights were executed here by order of the sultan, and that the reddish stains on the central marble are a reminder of that episode, although they are actually due to the stone's natural oxide. The room's acoustics are exceptional, and if you remain silent, you can hear a perfect echo beneath the dome. It's a good idea to visit it leisurely, observing the details of the ceiling from the center. Interestingly, the original muqarnas have been preserved almost intact since the 15th century, and traces of polychromy can still be seen that show how it looked in its time...."

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FAQs for Visiting Torre de las Abencerrajes

Only fragmentary traces remain, and it is difficult to identify without knowing exactly where to look.

Yes. It stood beside the Palacio de los Abencerrajes, whose ruins are more visible today.

It was heavily destroyed in the French explosion of 1812, which affected many structures along the south wall.

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

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

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!

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