Patio de Los Leones, Granada

Patio de Los Leones, also known as the Palace of the Lions, is a remarkable piece of architecture and the most gorgeous courtyard in the Alhambra Complex. This beautiful patio was built under the commission of Mohammed V during his second term between 1362 and 1391. The palace was constructed in the traditional Spanish Moorish architecture with a central open-air courtyard in the shape of a rectangle. It is surrounded by a marvellous gallery supported by 124 white marble columns that are ornately decorated on the outside.

There is also a pavilion with filigree work and a dome ceiling in each extremity projecting into the courtyard. The courtyard has a momentous fountain Fuente de Los Leones in the centre which represents the Garden of Paradise in Islamic mythology. The fountain has 12 lions standing with their backs to the fountain and having their tails tucked up, ears raised, and teeth clasped. A huge dodecagon-shaped basin is placed on the top of the lions and has a poem by Ibn Zamrak inscribed on its borders.

The courtyard is flanked by four halls - Sala de Mocarabes, Sala de Reyes, Sala de los Abencerrajes and Hall of the Two Sisters. With a regal architecture and cultural significance, Patio de Los Leones is truly the highlight of Alhambra.

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• Witness the noteworthy Fountain of the Lions that has twelve lions throwing jets of water through their mouths at the centre of the courtyard.
• Walk through and explore the architecture of the four main halls of the palace - Sala de Reyes, Sala de Mocárabes, Sala de los Abencerrajes and Hall of the Two Sisters.
• Visit the glorious Throne Room and see the ancient throne of the Sultan that glimmers in natural sunlight.
• Stop over at the beautifully decorated gallery surrounding the court and see how it is supported by 124 white marble columns.
• Visit the crowning jewel of Alhambra, Patio de Los Leones, and marvel at its majestic architecture featuring a grand fountain, handcrafted woodwork, stone carvings and the four huge halls.

By bus: Board a bus on Line N8 and N9 to reach El Pinar 5 bus station from where you can walk to Patio de Los Leones in about a minute. Alternatively, you can take the bus on route C34 and alight at Pages 16 bus station from where you can walk to the Palace of the Lions in 9 minutes.

By metro: Metro trains on transit line M stop at Villarejo metro station which is the closest stop to Patio de Los Leones. You can walk from the metro station to the palace in around 7 minutes.

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The best time to visit Patio de Los Leones is during the early morning hours as soon as the Alhambra opens at 8:30 AM when the place is less busy and glistens in sunlight. This gives you ample time to fully explore the place without the bustle of the tourist crowds. It takes nearly one to two hours to travel around the palace and hence plan your visit accordingly.

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Tips to Visit Patio de Los Leones:

• Book an early morning slot to visit Patio de Los Leones so that you can explore the palace at leisure before the tourist crowds start coming in.
• It is better to opt for the morning tour of Patio de Los Leones as the night lights used in the palace are very dim making the site dark.
• Carry an extra layer like a jacket or sweater if you are visiting Patio de Los Leones during winter or by early morning and late evening.
• Since you will have to walk a lot, it is advisable to wear comfortable footwear like sneakers and walking shoes.
• You will need up to two hours to fully explore the Patio de Los Leones Palace, so plan your trip accordingly.

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