The Alhambra Lions
2007–2011
The Courtyard of the Lions is the main courtyard of the Palace of the Lions and is the architectural pinnacle of the Alhambra. Its construction started between 1362 and 1391 AD. The Fountain of the Lions consists of a central basin supported by 12 white marble lions whose mouths spout water into channels below which run across the marble courtyard, creating movement and sounds across the centre of the palace. The Lions were removed in 2007 for restoration in the premises of the Department of Conservation of the Council of the Alhambra. The lions were put back in place in July 2012 after recovering the traditional water flow system of the Court of the Lions. During this time I set up a small studio in the building where the restoration process was undertaken and would work during bank holidays when the restoration team were away, the images below are part of an extensive archive which document the Lions before, during and after restoration process.