SUPERIOR COURT OF JUSTICE
Royal Chancellery housing important archives and a library containing documents
It is the most prestigious building located on Plaza Nueva, so that at one time or another, when you attack the Alhambra or Albacín, your eyes will be on it. If the idea of creating a royal chancery was the idea of the Catholic Monarchs, this building was built from 1531 to 1587, under the reign of Charles V. Of particular note is its facade, designed by Francisco del Castillo, who used stones of different colours to integrate light as an architectural element. Inspired by the Italian Mannerist style, it is the most beautiful example of this architectural trend in Granada. Other significant elements of this palace are the sculptures created by Alonso Hernández, its patio created by Diego de Siloé and its interior staircase of great architectural value. A prison occupied the rear part of the building until the middle of the 19th century. This royal chancery functioned until the 18th century and the emergence of other judicial bodies. The palace is now the seat of the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia. It also houses important archives and a library containing documents, the oldest of which date back to the 16th century, but access to it is restricted to researchers.
