Final phase of works in the Court of the Lions

The works being carried out by the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (PAG) in the Court of the Lions are entering their third and final phase, expected to terminate in 2011. This phase involves the first archaeological dig performed on the site, and encompasses prospective digging and control of earth movements, with the aim of verifying remains preceding the construction of the Palace by Muhammad V in the second half of the 14th century.
Work is supervised by Antonio Malpica, professor of Mediaeval History at the University of Granada and a member of the scientific and monitoring committee, and architect Pedro Salmerón, entrusted with overseeing work on the fountain’s water circuit. The other members of the scientific committee are Francisco Lamolda, PAG conservation architect, and Jesús Bermúdez, technical archaeological advisor to PAG; the technical team consists of archaelogists Ángel González and José Domingo Lentisco.
The excavation is related to the project for the renovation and rebuilding of the water circuit in this part of the Palace. The circuit was in very bad repair, due mainly to the low quality of the water and to structural defects.
This aim of the dig, the first performed on this site, is to document and preserve elements and materials found, in addition to confirming that the current Palace is built on top of previous constructions. The dig has already uncovered abundant ceramic shards and building remains from the earlier construction on which the Palace of the Lions, also known as the Palace of Riyad Al-Said or the Gardens of Happiness, is built.
The water circuit restoration works are targeted at the fountains and return channels and at the renewal of the inlet network. Henceforth, the water will be filtered and chlorinated and treated to prevent it from freezing in winter.