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From the artistic an symbolic point of view, the Abd al-Rahman III ‘s reception lounge and the Great Garden, are the most important places conserved in Madinat al- Zahra. Both were built in a unique way, in order to stand out the Caliph’s political and religious power and to spot his figure out. Into the "Rich Lounge" happen very important events: political receptions, and the main religious parties: sacrifices and break of the fast. All this happened till the end of al-Hakam II’s Kingdom, in 976. During the receptions, the Caliph took a central position into this lounge, and on his sides the high heads of his government, related to the administration.
The "Lounge of Abd al-Rahman III" was built between 953 and 957, as it is shown on the columns and pillars. It is divided into three naves. The endings of the naves are finished with three blind arches, one of them occupied by the Caliph. During the reception, the Caliph did not hide his face behind a veil, so he used to break the traditional protocol.
The "Rich Lounge" is denominated like this due to its decoration. In this lounge it is established the definitive shape and decoration of the horseshoe arch: the extrados is higher than the intrados, the voussoirs are separated from the main line, the alfiz is very decorated. The stones used are different from the ones used till that time, and it covered all the arches. The decoration of it was related to the symbols of the universe. In the lower part you can find big boards, which flank the walls, on which the main topic was the tree of the life; in the middle part there were horseshoe arches with its decoration; in the upper part there was a wainscot. The ceiling was in wood, decorated with stars.
On both sides of the building there were many rooms linked to the rich lounge, with the floors made in white marble and they had a little bathroom. In the patio of the basin the Caliph used to spend a lot of hours of leisure. 
Finally we have to speak about the "High Garden", which was situated in front of the Rich Lounge. This garden was divided into four parts, delimitated by perimeter and medium paths. In the middle of the axe they built a central pavilion, surrounded by four pools. The gardens are watered by a system of irrigation ditch. All this happened till the end of al-Hakam II’s kingdom, in 976. During the receptions, the caliph took a central position into this lounge, and on his sides the high heads of his government, related to the administration. The rich lounge was built between 953 and 957, as it is shown on the columns and pillars.
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