Sala de los Abencerrajes, Granada

The ceiling design in Sala de los Abencerrajes is astonishingly sophisticated for its time. The 16 sides are supported by stalactite vaulting and many windows in the dome, allow enough light to make the place feel artificially illuminated. The water in the marble fountain reflects the image of the brilliant ceiling above. The Sultan's wives lived on the second floor. This room gets its name from the legend that the penultimate Moorish ruler of Granada, Muley Hacem, had all the rival menfolk of the Abencerraje tribe murdered here. The stains on the fountain are meant to be their blood. It stands opposite the Sala de Dos Hermanas (Two Sisters' Hall) on your tour of the Alhambra.

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