Carlos V Palace

The Palace of Carlos V, located within the Alhambra complex, is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain. Carlos V became King of Spain in 1516 and was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519, becoming the most powerful ruler of his era. In 1526 he married Isabel of Portugal, and during their honeymoon they stayed in the Alhambra, in the rooms now known as the Peinador de la Reina. So impressed were they by the beauty of the Nasrid palaces that Carlos decided he wanted a grand imperial residence built right in the heart of the complex.

Although he was a Christian emperor, Carlos V greatly admired Islamic architecture and believed the Alhambra should be preserved for its exceptional beauty. His respect for the Nasrid buildings is one of the reasons they survived in such good condition.

The palace he planned was meant to be a symbol of imperial power: a massive square exterior enclosing a surprising circular courtyard — a pure expression of Renaissance ideals and completely different from the surrounding Moorish architecture. Construction began in the 1530s and was financed using taxes imposed on the Moriscos. Their revolt in 1558 delayed the works, and Carlos V died that same year, never seeing his palace completed. In fact, the building was not fully finished until 1957.

On the outside walls you can still see large decorative metal rings. They serve no practical purpose, but Renaissance architects liked adding details inspired by armour and military elements to give buildings a more imposing appearance.

You can visit the Palace of Carlos V without an Alhambra ticket by entering through the Justice Gate. Inside, the unique circular patio stands out as the most important Renaissance architectural space in Spain. Today the palace houses two museums: the Fine Arts Museum (with a small €2 entrance fee) and the Museum of the Alhambra, which is free.