LA TORRE DE LOS PICOS

mong the towers of the Alhambra the Torre de los Picos has the biggest plan together with the Tower of Comares

Origin of the name of the Tower: Some authors relate this name to the corbels that stick out of the tower which supported wooden planks (defensive balconies), from which the Moslems could repel any attempt of attack. Other authors are of the opinion that the name appeared when the original straight battlements where topped later by bricks in the form of pyramids.
Period: Epoch of Yussuf I (1333-1354/ 733-755H)
Outstanding features: Among the towers of the Alhambra the Torre de los Picos has the biggest plan together with the Tower of Comares. Inside, the vaulted ceilings are remarkable: on the second floor we find a groin vault and on the third floor a vault with nerves.
Apart from being used as living quarters, the Torre de los Picos had also a defensive function over the Arrabal Gate, at the foot of the tower. This gate was together with the Armas Gate (arms) one of the main accesses from the city to the Alhambra on its north face. The Arrabal Gate has a vaulted passage way which leads to the Generalife; on the left side we find the vegetable gardens of the Generalife and on the right side three different towers: Torre del Cadí or Candil, Torre de la Cautiva, and Torre de las Infantas.
Soon after the end of the Christian conquest, this area was quite modified since an external bulwark with horse stables was built on this site to protect the Torre de los Picos.
TIMETABLE: From 8:30 to 20:00. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.
ACCESS: With ticket “Alhambra general” and “Alhambra Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba”
CAPACITY: Maximum 30 people at one time.