Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of the Myrtles), Granada

East of the Gilded Room (Cuarto Dorado) and west of the Patio of the lions and the baths is the Court of the Myrtles. It wasn't always about Myrtles (Arrayanes). The court has a central pond and it was once called Patio of the Pond or the Reservoir (Patio del Estanque o de la Alberca). With myrtle shrubs in place, we have Court of the Myrtles.

Because of the pool the patio is divided in two sides. The pool is fed by two fountains at either end. Around the pool are galleries and porticoes. The porticoes rest on columns with capitals and arches decorated with fretwork rhombi and inscriptions praising God. Chambers on the north side are in the Comares Palace, the residence of the King.

The Court is 140 feet long by 74 feet wide. In the center of the court is the pool. From this court one can see the Comares Tower above the roof, perfectly reflected in the pool. The Sultan could admire his tower above, but its reflection in the ripples of the pool would remind him of the transitory nature of earthly glory.