The Patio de los Arrayanes or Court of the Myrtles, the Heart of the Alhambra

The Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of the Myrtles) is a stunning example of Nasrid architecture, situated at the heart of the Comares Palace, one of the magnificent Nasrid Palaces within the Alhambra.


Its image is one of the most representative of the Alhambra, and you have likely seen it in many places. It is characterized by its vast pool or pond, which occupies almost the entire courtyard and is surrounded by myrtle hedges.

A Glimpse into History of the Patio de los Arrayanes

Why is it called the Patio de los Arrayanes?

The name "Patio de los Arrayanes" translates to "Court of the Myrtles" or "Courtyard of the Myrtles" in English.

The Patio de los Arrayanes has borne this name since the 17th century, deriving specifically from the myrtles that encircle the pool in the form of a hedge.

This was the original design of the patio when it was first constructed. However, over time, various other plant species were introduced, until eventually, it returned to its initial state.

In Arabic, it is known as "Arrayán"; the Greeks referred to it as "myrtle". It is a plant indigenous to the Mediterranean region.

Formerly, the courtyard was known as Patio de Comares and is also identified as Patio de la Alberca.

Who Constructed the Patio de los Arrayanes?

The Patio de los Arrayanes stands as a significant component of the Comares Palace, a contribution made by Yusuf I to the Nasrid Palaces.

Nevertheless, the embellishment of both the patio and the Barca room can be traced back to the era of his son, Muhammad V, as detailed in the exquisite inscriptions. It appears that his father was unable to witness the completion of his work.

Which tickets include access to the Court of the Myrtles?

The Patio de los Arrrayanes (Court of the Myrtles) forms a part of the Nasrid Palaces.

You can visit it using any entrance ticket that includes access to the Nasrid Palaces:

You must select the entry time for the Nasrid Palaces during the ticket purchasing process. Here you can find more information about the tickets and their prices (without a tour guide).

Unique Way it Interacts With the Adjacent Rooms

The Patio de los Arrayanes is is a typical example of Hispano-Muslim courtyard architecture, with its distinctive curved entrance and an open-air central courtyard.

However, what sets it apart is the unique way it interacts with the adjacent rooms.

Intimately Linked to the Throne Room

From the Salon del Trono or Embajadores, one can perfectly admire the courtyard, creating the illusion of water, vegetation, and sky seamlessly flowing into the palace.

The intention is to symbolically and physically bring nature into the Salon del Trono.

The courtyard establishes a microclimate, offering humidity, ventilation, and aromatization to enhance the ambiance of the Palacio de Comares.

On the exterior, the pool is intimately connected to the palace.

The water in the pool is always calm and motionless, and on its surface, we can observe the entire reflection of the Torre de Comares, much like a mirror.

It's not a coincidence; everything in this courtyard was designed with this purpose in mind. It stands as a masterpiece of Nasrid architecture.

Other Adjacent Rooms

On the longer sides of the Patio de los Arrayanes, there are four dwellings, possibly serving as rooms for the legitimate wives of the sultan, each likely equipped with alcoves.

On both sides of the upper floor, one can admire two beautiful twin windows.

On the shorter sides, facing the Salon del Trono and Palacio de Carlos V, there are magnificent porticoes adorned with seven arches embellished with stucco and sebka.

Take note of the cubic capitals on the columns, except in the central arch, which is larger and features exquisite muqarnas capitals.

In this section of the courtyard, an original element of considerable artistic and historical value can be found.

Preserved since its creation, the epigraphic friezes celebrate the victory of Muhammad V in Algeciras in 1368 in their verses.

Porticoes of the Patio de los Arrayanes

The south portico of the Patio de los Arrayanes features a facade with two floors.

On the second floor, seven windows covered with lattices suggest they might have served as chambers for the sultan's harem.

Additionally, on this floor, a gallery with six arches can be observed, where the lattices appear to be of more recent origin.

These rooms were the most affected by the construction of the Palacio de Carlos V, the monumental structure of which looms prominently over the second floor.

On the other hand, the north portico presents a more intriguing view. Flanking either side are two small towers, with only the one on the right being original from the Nasrid period.

Positioned prominently in the center is the imposing Torre de Comares, the tallest tower in the Alhambra (together with the Torre de la Vela).

As we cross the portico and step inside, we encounter an anteroom leading to the most significant chamber of the palace: the Sala de la Barca.

Continuing forward, we enter the magnificent Salon del Trono (Throne Room).

Directly in the center, the sultan would have been seated beneath the splendidly carved wooden dome of the Torre de Comares, with the Patio de los Arrayanes visible across from him.

How Big is the Courtyard and Where is it Located?

The Patio de los Arrayanes measures 36m x 23m, and its pool is 34m x 7m. It features a rectangular shape and is open to the sky. In the images below, you can see how it is nestled between Comares Tower and Carlos V Palace.


To the north of the courtyard are the impressive Salon del Trono or Embajadores, and the Torre de Comares, while to the south is the Palacio de Carlos V and the Mexuar.


The latter was attached to it at the express wish of Carlos V, leading to the destruction of the original rooms in that area of the palace.

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