The Emperor´s Chambers

“THE EMPEROR’S  CHAMBERS”

The construction of the Emperor’s chambers is understood as the result of  the adaptation of the Islamic palaces to their new Christian use. These apartments were built on the area of the meadow, located beside the “Two Sisters Room”. The project consisted in a number of rooms that were meant to join the “Court of the Lions” and the “Comares” Palaces.  Even though this construction dates back to the period of Charles V, some researches reveal a number of interventions during the period of the Catholic Monarchs. 
Although there were a number of visually identified changes, we need to consider that these new additions made to the palaces were well integrated among the rest of the Nasrid chambers. They were adapted to the context without the need of creating the symmetry in the spatial lay out. These new rooms are communicated through an internal corridor and are organized around an irregular patio. This arrangement differs from the typical Islamic structure of a Palace, where we find independent chambers organized around patios, without that internal corridor.
These chambers which were created to welcome Charles V were used by the distinguished North American writer Washington Irving. These chambers are named after him, in memory of an intellectual who interpreted and made the image of the Alhambra notorious on an international scale.

“Nothing can be more favourable for my studies and literary occupations that my present residence. I have got a room in one of the most secluded corners of the old palace…I hear nothing but the sound of the water running and the chanting of the nightingales”. (Washington Irving)
TIMETABLE : From 8:30 to 18:00. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
ACCESS: With ticket “Alhambra general”
CAPACITY: Maximum 30 people at one time.