Comares Palace, Granada

The Comares Palace is thought to be the most important structure in the Alhambra. It was the residence for the king and it has rooms surrounding the Court of the Myrtles. The rooms are galleries with porticoes at each end.

Yusuf wanted his palace to amaze and awe his visitors. He did not live to see the result. His son Mohammed V was responsible for finishing the facade. It is on a stage of three steps, covered with stucco carvings once brilliantly painted. On the facade are two identical doors with lintels, decorated tiles and plaster work.

We have the classic choice: Door Number One or Door Number two? But this is not the "Lady or the Tiger." The door on the left opens to a hall decorated with mocarabes. The ceiling is interlaced wood panels. The hall leads to a dark passage to the Court of the Myrtles. The door on the right provides access to family rooms.

At the north end of the palace is the Hall of the Boat (Sala de la Barca) and the Hall of the Ambassadors (Sala de los Embajadores) inside the Comares Tower (Torre de Comares). The Hall of the Ambassadors gets the prize for being the most impressive room.

The hall is dark but for natural light coming through large windows. There are three windows on each wall. The central window shines on the throne. High up in the room are smaller windows illuminating a wooden ceiling depicting the seven heavens a soul must traverse to meet Allah.