The Comares Baths in the Alhambra

The Legacy of the Comares Baths

In every palace of the Alhambra, a privileged corner was set aside for one of the most treasured traditions in Arab culture: the hammam.

Far from being merely spaces for personal hygiene, these baths were vibrant social hubs. They offered a place to meet, converse, and find moments of serenity for both body and soul. Among the finest examples—and the very one that inspired the creation of Hammam Al Ándalus—are the Arab Baths of the Palace of Comares.

Inspiration for a Dream

Today, the Comares Baths remain closed to the public to ensure their preservation. Nevertheless, in the late 1990s, the founders of Hammam Al Ándalus were granted the rare privilege of visiting them.

The encounter left an indelible mark. So impressed were they by the harmony, light, and design of the space that they felt a responsibility to share that sensation with others. As a result, they decided to recreate a hammam inspired by the Andalusi tradition, opening its doors so that residents and visitors to Granada alike could immerse themselves in a similar experience.

From that first dream in Granada, the concept gradually expanded, taking root in Córdoba, Madrid, and Málaga. In the lines that follow, we journey back to the source of that inspiration: the Baths of the Palace of Comares in the Alhambra.

The Royal Baths

Tracing their origins to the Roman baths, hammams were adopted by Arab culture and transformed into an essential element of Andalusi daily life. The Comares Baths stand apart in this tradition: they are the only fully preserved medieval Islamic hammam in the Western world.

For centuries, they were known as the Royal Baths, as their use was reserved exclusively for the Catholic Monarchs. Strategically located between the Palace of Comares and the Palace of the Lions, the baths connect to the courtyard through a discreet doorway near the gallery, in the very area where the sultan once lived and governed.

A Glimpse Through History

Although entry into the baths is no longer possible, their beauty can still be admired from the surrounding spaces. Cleverly placed openings and vantage points allow visitors to catch glimpses of their timeless interior.

The main hall is bathed in soft, overhead light streaming from the central lantern—a signature feature of Nasrid architecture. This interplay of illumination and shadow evokes both the intimacy and the grandeur of a starlit sky.

Over time, the Comares Baths have captivated the hearts of many artists. In 1910, Henry Matisse was enchanted by their mystery and the quality of their light. More recently, in the documentary Morente Sueña la Alhambra, Estrella Morente and her father Enrique performed verses by Saint John of the Cross within the baths, a moment that encapsulates their enduring beauty and poetic spirit.