Court of the Myrtles

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/court-of-the-myrtles

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the location?Comares Palace, Alhambra, Granada, Spain
2. What is the construction period?Early 14th century, with significant modifications later in the same century
3. Why does the courtyard have a reflecting pool?The reflecting pool cools the air by evaporating water and it also shows a mirror of the sky. This makes the courtyard feel peaceful and like a piece of paradise.
4. Who built the Court of the Myrtles?It was started by Sultan Isma'il I in the early 14th century and later expanded by his brothers Yusuf I and Muhammad V.

Nasrid Dynasty: The final Muslim ruling house of Al-Andalus, responsible for the construction of the Alhambra.
Patio de los Arrayanes: The Spanish designation for the Court of the Myrtles, referencing the myrtle shrubs.
Islamic Architecture: Architectural styles developed in Islamic societies, characterized by geometric patterns, calligraphy, and arches.
Symbolism of Water: In Islamic culture, water represents life, purity, divine grace, and the gardens of paradise.