Along the middle of the court extends the _alberca_ or fish-pond, its margins hidden by orange trees and myrtles. The clear water gushes up into two round basins at either end. To the north, the prospect is closed by the battlemented Tower of Comares, to the south by the walls of the Palace of Charles V. Through one of the entrances can be seen the fountain in the Patio de los Leones. The court is redolent of the languor, voluptuousness, and splendour of the East. Each arcade is composed of seven semicircular arches, the central one reaching up to the cornice, while the others, much lower, are closed with perforated woodwork or lattices. The roof of the southern gallery is of artesonado or troughed form, and bears seven small cupolas; over the central arch of the northern gallery is a single cupola painted with little gold stars on a blue ground. In this court there are numerous inscriptions, of which the following are the most important. “Go and tell true believers that Divine help and ready victory are reserved for them.” “I am like the nuptial array of a bride, endowed with every beauty and perfection.” “Truly Ibn Nasr is the sun, shining in splendour.” “May he continue in the noontide of his glory even unto the period of his decline.” In the Patio de la Alberca is an arch differing altogether from all others in the Palace. Only one surface is decorated, and that with a principal or guiding figure made out by colours. The ornaments approximate more closely than is usual in Moorish architecture to natural forms, and the arch has very much of a Persian character. This court is believed to have constituted the division between the male apartments, frequented by the general public, which we have already described, and the _Harem_, or private quarters, including the Patio de los Leones, &c. We pass through a beautiful arch decorated with tasteful floral designs, into the Sala de la Barca, or ante-room of the Hall of Ambassadors. This fine apartment, formerly radiant with colours, was seriously damaged in the fire of 1890. The ceiling of this hall, says Owen Jones, “is a wagon-headed dome of wood of the most elaborate patterns, receiving its support from pendentives of mathematical construction so curious that they may be rendered susceptible of combinations as various as the melodies which may be produced from the seven notes of the musical scale; attesting the wonderful power and effect obtained by the repetition of the most simple elements.” Beyond this hall rises the Tower of Comares, appearing to rest on the slenderest pillars and almost to be balanced in the air. The real supports have been purposely kept out of sight. The view from the summit of the massive battlemented tower is magnificent. From this platform, Washington Irving remarks, the proud monarchs of Granada and their queens have watched the approach of Christian armies, or gazed on the battles in the Vega. The walls of the tower are of surprising thickness.