Recognized as Silla del Moro, the site of Santa Elena is situated on the northern slope of the Cerro de Santa Elena near the Alhambra in Granada. It was constructed as part of a defensive fence for the Generalife. Its primary function was to control the distribution of water from the acequia to the palaces of the Generalife and the Alhambra, as well as the surrounding orchards.
The site remained in a state of ruin from the 17th century onward and was not reconstructed until recent times. While some authors suggest it included a mosque in the 14th century, this has not been documentally proven. It is situated at the upper part of the Cerro del Sol, offering views of the Darro River valley and the city.
In 1929, remains of a conduction, staircase, and tower with vault fragments were discovered, suggesting a direct connection to the Dar al-Arusa palace for water. During the 20th century, the site suffered negative interventions, including a lookout built in 1942 and a restaurant constructed between 1966 and 1970 that never came into use. The restaurant structure partially collapsed in the 1980s due to poor construction.
Restoration work by the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife concluded in 2010, involving the demolition of the remaining additions. Beneath the site, there are various galleries and tunnels, though their dating and purpose remain unknown.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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