Alhambra Palace, Granada – Spain
Coordinates: 37.178000, -3.585500
Jannat al-‘Arif (Generalife) (lit: Architect’s Paradise) was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus, now beside the city of Granada in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain.
It is another one of the wonderful buildings in the Alhambra complex.
This palatial structure was first built in the 13th century, and was used as a summer palace for the Nasrid rulers of the day, and was added to in later times.
It has some beautiful interiors and some stunning gardens. The gardens are beautifully landscaped with multiple water features, flower beds and a wide variety of countless plants and trees.
The colorful lush green gardens, fountains, water channels, colonnades and pavilions, and most especially the Courtyard of the Cypress, were created for expectations and surprises.
These individual areas would also connect to the various outdoor “rooms” providing a paradise for the Sultans to enjoy. The elevated site was chosen to provide cooling breezes in the summer heat.
For over 250 years, 24 sultans made this their home. With its amazing views and pools for lounging I am sure it once was a paradise, but over the years, repairs and restorations to the palaces consisted of plastering over the delicate lacework, covering much of the once fairytale like architecture.
The Generalife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Granada, along with the Alhambra palace and gardens, and the Albayzín district.
History
The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammed II (1273-1302), Sultan of Granada, and later by Muhammed III (1302–1309).
Originally the palace was linked to the Alhambra by a covered walkway across the ravine that now divides them. The Generalife is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens.
The walkways are paved in traditional Granadian style with a mosaic of pebbles: white ones from the River Darro and black ones from the River Genil.
Know This
Purchase your tickets online from the official website alhambra-patronato.es. – just click top right on the web page for your preferred language. Once you have your tickets, you can enter in the Justice Gates, rather than the main gate, and avoid queues.
