The Alhambra Granada Generalife


The Generalife Palace is situated on the natural plateau of the Sabikah hill, in Andalucia. The last Islamic palace complex on the Iberian peninsula: Alhambra-Granada-Spain-1.

The Generalife was constructed in the 13th and early 14th century. It's purpose was for recreation and seclusion. The Alhambra Granada Generalife: was the Emir's Summer Retreat, exclusively, for the Emir and his family.

El Generalife Patio de la Acequia

Royal Summer Activities

Hunting in the Alameda de la Alhambra park in the Assabica valley... playing polo or tending to the vegetable plots.

Generalife
Its exterior appears "rural" rather than palatial.

The Small Palace

The Spanish nicknamed the Alhambra Granada Generalife Palace the "Cuarto Real": a minute royal palace - or, more accurately: "the royal room".

Close Proximity

Bearing in mind, during that period there was no internet or mobile phones, the Generalife's proximity to the Alhambra itself, was an intentional convenience for up-to-date matters of the state – especially, in the case of uprisings or the ever increasing threat of Christian invasions.

albayzin alhambra granada generalife

A view of the Albayzin overlooking the Alhambra park

Frequently Referred to as the Garden of the Architect

Etymologies of the Generalife:
  • djennet: garden
  • huerto: kitchen garden
  • jardin: garden
  • Jardines del Alarife: The builder's or architect's garden

The Alhambra Granada Generalife was one of many productive farmsteads that belonged to the Emir, supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to the occupants of the Alhambra.

The Alhambra kitchen-garden concept was similar to the royal nursery gardens in Madinat az-Zahra. Moorish Spain's royalty, habitually participated in the introduction of new species in Moorish Agriculture and in constantly improving produce quality. What is the Mediterranean Diet?


The Generalife Art of Appreciation

Islamic Meditation Centres on Conscious Awareness.
The Generalife is rich in the observation of Heaven on Earth Paradise.

Sight

A fundamental instrument in Alhambra expression - is water.

Tranquillity and beauty are present in every corner of The Generalife. The Romantic Viewpoint overlooking the Generalife and the upwards purifying Water Staircase are two examples...

The Water Staircase Generalife Still Fountians fed the Patio de la Acequia

Colour Cascades

Originally, terraced levels were dug out, planted and tended for - all the way to the Sabika hill-peak.

From that height, the Generalife approach was a astounding stair-case of colour-spill.

Sound

During Moorish days, mumuring water overflowed the two low marble basins of the Patio de la Acequia. Nightingales are naturally attracted to the sound of flowing water... and they chose to stay in the Abassica park, enhancing, the tranquility of the Generalife.

The water-basin feed, belonged to part of the ingenious hydraulic system of the Alhambra, which Emir Ibn Nazir installed. Continuously burbling water was cooling and soothing. The spouting jets (introduced during 18th and 19th century) rendered the chimera of rain.

Taste

Every immaginable fruit and vegetable was abundantly supplied by the Generalife orchards. Moorish palates were highly sophisticated. The art of Pâte de Foie Gras was introduced to Europe by the Arabs.

The Moors - despite Koranic prescribe - produced excellent wines, which they indulged in.

Generalife Scents

Aroma

Vivid blooms and trailing wisterias grace the inner Generalife courtyards and covered walkways. Rose scents of The High Garden and its welcoming shade, accompanied by the gentle murmur of rippling water evokes romance.

Discover the ancient Cypress Tree Patio of the Sultana - and its tragic legend.

Jardin del Cypress Generalife









Touch

Black and White Pebbles, adorn Generalife pavements in perfect symmetrical designs
see the Significances of Sacred Geometric patterns islamic art and architecture 1 . Each pebble was carefully selected from two different Granada rivers: the black cobble-stones were taken from the Rio Genil; the white ones from the Rio Darro.

Black and White Generalife Cobblestone Decor

Tickets for the Alhambra Granada Generalife

There are 2 choices and 2 prices for Generalife Tickets.
Only Day Visits are possible for the Generalife.

The Alhambra Visiting Ticket enables you to see: the Nazrid Palaces, Generalife and the Alcazaba.
It is 13 €uros

The Garden Visit Ticket.
This covers: Paseo de los Cipreses, Secano, the San Francisco Gardens, the Alcazaba and Generalife.
This is 7 €uros.

Night visits are ONLY for the Nazrid Palaces






Washington Irving chose a bedroom, overlooking the romantic charm of the Alhambra.
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