The story
Welcome to the threshold of a dream. You are standing before the Puerta de las Granadas, or the Gate of the Pomegranates. As you look up at this grand, sandstone structure, take a moment to feel the transition happening around you.
Behind you lies the bustling, modern energy of Granada’s city center and the shops of the Cuesta de Gomérez. But ahead, framed by these three Roman-style arches, is the rising green canopy of the Alhambra woods. You are at the official entrance to the grounds of one of the world’s most breathtaking palaces.
This gate was built around 1536, long after the Reconquista, under the orders of the Emperor Charles V. He wanted a triumphal entrance that reflected his imperial power and the Renaissance style sweeping through Europe. He commissioned the architect Pedro Machuca, the same man responsible for the massive circular palace you will see later at the top of the hill.
Machuca designed this gate to replace a much older, more defensive Moorish gate known as the Bib al-Buxar. If you look closely at the masonry, you can see the rustic, heavy stones that give the structure a sense of ancient, unshakeable strength. Now, look toward the very top of the pediment.
You’ll see the reason for the gate’s name: three stone pomegranates, or granadas, carved as if they are bursting with ripeness. The pomegranate is the heraldic symbol of this city, and it is woven into the very fabric of Granada’s identity. Just below them, you can spot the imperial coat of arms of Charles V, flanked by two reclining figures that represent peace and abundance.
It’s a powerful statement of the Emperor’s dominion over this legendary hill. As you prepare to walk through the central arch, notice how the atmosphere changes. The temperature usually drops a few degrees as the shade of the towering elms takes over.
These trees were actually a gift from the Duke of Wellington in the early 19th century, adding a touch of English woodland to this Spanish hillside. Once you pass through, you’ll find three paths ahead of you. The path to the far right leads toward the Torres Bermejas, or the Vermilion Towers.
The central path takes you on a peaceful walk through the heart of the forest. But the path to the left is the traditional route for visitors, winding upward toward the Gate of Justice and the palaces themselves. Listen for the sound of running water in the stone channels beside the paths; it is the heartbeat of the Alhambra.
Step through the gate now, and leave the modern world behind as you enter the realm of the sultans and kings.