Alhambra baths information - Granada, Spain

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THE ALHAMBRA - Granada: THE BATHS

THE HALL OF THE BATHS.
THE further we advance towards the interior of the palace, the more costly and beautiful is the execution of the workmanship, agreeably to the custom of the Moors; who to this day bestow little of external ornament on their edifices; while all that art can contribute to convenience or splendour, is properly bestowed on the inner apartments.
The hall, delineated in Plate XX, derives its appellation from its leading to the baths of the Alhamra: its arches rest on very slight columns; which, as well as the floor, are of
white marble. The mosaic tilings reach up to the cornices, and are exceedingly beautiful: the respirators or ventilators are of baked earth, with a green glazing: the form of these ventilators is represented in the upper part of our engraving; and the same shape is preserved in all the apartments belonging to the baths.

A SECTION OF THE HALL OF THE BATHS.
THE solidity of the Arabian structure is here advantageously seen, together with the form of the mosaics. The columns are in a style of architecture, totally differing from that of every order to which the European eye is accustomed: notwithstanding their apparent slenderness, they have proved fully adequate to support the superior incumbent weight of the massive stone work above them.

CIELING OF THE HALL OF THE BATHS.
THE cieling of this noble apartment is one of the most superb that can well be conceived: its border is beautifully ornamented; and the ventilators, which are here seen in different points of view, being glazed of a green colour, admit both light and air, and diffuse a most refreshing coolness through the hall.

THE QUEEN'S BATH.
ON account of the frequent ablutions required by the Koran, the baths constitute the most important part of the royal palace; accordingly no labour or expense has been spared, in order to render them magnificent. Passing by what is called the common bath, (which in any other place beside this palace of enchantment, would justly command admiration), we proceed to the baths appropriated to the sovereign and his consort. These apartments are both finished in an exquisite style, but the Queen's bath is the most richly ornamented with gilding and porcelain. The basons, containing the water, are of white marble; the walls are covered, to the height of
the cornices, with beautiful black and white mosaics. The vaulted stone roof is perforated with the ventilators; through which a soft and skilfully managed light is admitted into this voluptuous retreat. The Arabic inscription in the King's bath consists of these following sentences, so often repeated in the Alhamra :-" There is no conqueror but God," and " Glory to our Lord, the Sultan Abu Abdillah!"

CONCERT ROOM OF THE BATHS.
CONTIGUOUS to the baths was a lofty saloon, in which the royal family listened to the performances of the musicians. These were stationed in the elevated tribune in the centre of our engraving; while the court sat below on costly carpets. The columns that support this noble saloon, are of white marble: the mosaics, which are here in the greatest abundance, are uncommonly beautiful, particularly those between the columns, which are black, green, yellow, and white, set in a green border. The roof is covered with tiles, and the woodwork beneath is richly ornamented, especially the three lattices or windows, and the different recesses, whose complex ornaments exceed every thing of the kind that has been exp,cuted in modern times. The Cufic inscriptions, which are so numerous in this part of the palace, are only repetitions of those described in the preceding plate.

A SECTION OF THE BATHS IN THE ALHAMRA.
IN this plate is indicated the relative situation of the different apartments belonging to the baths.
A. A. Is the noble vaulted hall communicating with the baths and the concert room:
it is delineated and described in Plates XX, XXI, and XXII, supra.
B. The King's Bath, see Plate XXIII.
C. The Queen's Bath, see Plate XXIV.
D. The concert Room, or Saloon of Music, sce Plate XXV.

A GROUND PLAN OF THE BATHS, IN THE ALHAMRA.
Explanation o[ the Letters o[ Reference in this Plate.
A. A. A. Entrances to the quarter of the Palace containing the Baths.
B. B. B. B. B. B. Passages communicating with the different apartments and Baths. C. C. Apartments, looking into
D. D. A court with a fountain in its centre.
E. E. Baths and dressing rooms.
F. F. F. Warm Baths.
G. G. G. The place where the water was heated: the copper vessels anciently em
ployed for this purpose were sold, upwards of thirty years since, by the then Governor of the Alhamra, for the sum of 14,000 reals, about £350. sterling. From these coppers, the warm water was conducted between the walls to the different baths, by means of pipes communicating with them, and which are distinctly shewn by the white line.
I. I. I. I. I. I. I. Other baths and apartments: the lines a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a. a.
designate steps by which the bathers descended into the water.
K. The great Hall of the Baths, delineated in plates XX, XXI, and XXII.

	More information about the Alhambra
The Alhambra at Granada The Royal Palace The Alhambra fortress Plan of the Royal Palace Main entrance The Judgment Gate Elevation of the ancient Gate of the Judgment The Judgment Gate Porch Section of the Gate of the Judgment, Puerta del Vino and the Great Cistern Small Portico and Pateo del Agua A pateo del Agua alcove The Court and Fountain of Lions perspective Elevation of the Fountain of Lions Plan of the bason of the Fountain of Lions - Side Elevation - Entablature of the Court of the Lions Two Sisters hall The Abencerrages hall Golden Saloon Section and Elevation of the interior of the Golden Saloon Moorish battle-piece Paintings in the Alhambra Arabian vases and niches Mosaics Arabian Ornaments Cufic Inscriptions Columns, capitals and cornices Royal Villa of Generalife view The Generalife Portico of the Generalife front view A Generalife Garden perspective view The Casa de Carbon

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