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Moorish Water Gardens
Chahar BaghThe early gardens of Syria and Persia heavily influenced the future design of Moorish water gardens. The Chahar Bagh was a system of water paths, divided, into symmetrical cross-shaped channels. Generally, water tumbled from a centre-piece fountain and separated into four directions.
Patio de los Leones, Alhambra-Granada-Spain-1
Symbolizing an Oasis set in a forest of Palm Trees 
Mohammed said, a garden with fountains equated as Paradise on Earth.
The 'Sons of the Desert' sought to recreate an oasis in their homes. Four water channels represent the Four Rivers of Life: Gihon, Euphrates, Tigris and Pisho. The garden became four separate sections. Those sections represented Earthy Paradise: Wine, Honey, Milk and Water - referred in both the Koran and in the Book of Genesis. Moorish Water Gardens: Cherished Symbols of ParadiseParadeisos gardens originated from Egyptian and Grecian gardens well over a thousand years before Islam began. The Greeks and Egyptians centered gardening concepts - from the Garden of Eden and the Hanging Gardens of Bayblon.What was a Paradeiso Garden?Created as an escape from torrid temperatures of surrounding arid, desert climes. Paradeisos Gardens were highly valued for their protection from the sun's burning glare. Shaded areas provided vital coolness. Flowers blossomed beside rippling waters, sought-after effects were calming, yet subtly energizing.
The Arabs and their Love for the Beauty of Flowering Spring BulbsThough the spring bulbs season was swift, the Arabs were passionate about tulips, irises, narcissus and lillies. Floral scents: honeysuckle, jazmin and roses were distilled. Colour displays were replicated, weaving Persian (and Moorish) silk carpets, memorizing that swift floral glory. Silver, Pearls and Emeralds...One particular carpet, was that which belonged to the Sassanian King Khusrau 1, 531-579 AD. Silver threads were woven into the garden paths, pearl-strings replicated the garden's streams; flowers were represented by diamonds and emeralds. The carpet's beauty stunned the invading Arabs - and served - as a blueprint for "ideal" Moorish water gardens.
The Oldest Moorish Gardens in Spain: above The Alhambra Granada Spain Palaces
The Ablution pool in the Patio de los Naranjos,
outside Cordova's Mezquita.
Famous Moorish and other Culture Water Gardens- The Alfabia in Mallorca
- The Elx (World Heritage) Palmeral, in Murcia
- The Patio de las Doncellas, and the Poet's Garden in the Alcazar of Sevilla
- The Alcazaba of Malaga
- The water garden in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
- The Taj Majhal tomb garden, Agra India
- The Garden of Fin, Kashan, Persia
Oldest Palatial Moorish Water Gardens:
Madinat-az-Zahra, the Alcazares Reales in Cordoba and the Generalife Tall cypress trees (signifying eternity) created shade, framing scented gardens of thousands of roses, jazmins, honeysuckle and lilies, all edged with mulberry bushes. Notable fountain figures (especially in Madinat az-Zahra) were griffins and lions, fountain basins were either marble or alabaster. There are 59 white Maceal marble foutains in the Alhambra.  Still ponds are calming, contrasting, with gently bubbling fountains - intentionally created to induce peaceful Meditation. Water Architecture
Alcazares Reales, Cordoba Spain The famous Generalife gardens are in fact Italian-designed and the Long Pond in the Patio de la Acequia, the water-jets are not "true" to the Moorish Gardening concept. Water flowed calmly in Moorish Gardens. Spurting water created visual effects with excessive background noise. However, Moorish, Christian or Italian, all the gardens in the Alhambra are very special. Ancient Cooling SystemsEvaporation from water channels served as natural-cooling systems. The best example of this method of cooling is seen in the Patio de los Leones in the Alhambra. Interior patios maintained a constant level of coolness.  Calming Fountains in the Generalife Gardens
The hydrology techniques of how the Moors, diverted rivers and their course. Once the water flow was controlled, the water entered the chadar: the chute.
Water Chute: The Chadar, Alhambra
Model of the Albolafia water wheel
(Noria) on the Guadalquivir River
 The Albolafia Waterwheel was built to raise water to the Espiscopal Palace (original Moorish royal residence) from the Guadalquivir River, by Abd-ar-Rahaman 1.
The Noria is a large wooden wheel with paddles. La Albolafia waterwheel is also called: Kulaib. Harnessing Water-Power For: - flour milling
- paper making
- crushing gold ore
- compacting yarns
- timber milling
- crushed sugar-cane
- husking rice grains
Stone Seal of Cordoba since 1360
Symbolizing: La Albolafia Waterwheel,
Cordoba Mosque,
the Roman Bridge and
Palacio Episcopal,
this seal authenticates Cordobes artisan-work
QanatsQanats are underground trenches preventing water evaporation. This exposed qanat, is from the ruins of Madinat az-Zahra, Cordoba. The palatine city required vast amounts of water. 
Water Qanat, Medina az-Zahra. Prior to construction commenced on the city, the area was mined with qanats. Technology of the qanat, originated from pre-Islamic Persia.
Golden Age TechnologyPopulations of: Cordoba, Baghdad, Fez, Marrakkech and Damascus increased rapidly. Water supply was essential.
Water Paths descending different levels at the AlhambraCordoba had a population of over 500,000 during the tenth century. Cities of European countries - at that time - had populations no larger than 10,000.
Cordoba was a World Leader in Innovative Hydology Installations Botanical studies and new agricultural methods combined with the wealth of harnessed water, led to an agricultural explosion that had never been seen on the Iberian Peninsula before. These events led to a highly succesful and stable economy and were the base of the Golden Ages of the Cordovan Caliphate. "Gardens Under Which Rivers Flow"
The Alhambra is alive with the sound of rippling water, everywhere you walk, there is water
The Moorish water systems of Granada, unlike those of Murcia, whose main purpose was for crop irrigation.
Moorish Water Gardens were of Extreme ImportanceThe water systems in Granada, Andalucia Spain were dual-purpose: crop irrigation AND supplying Granada's many fountains, baths and pools. The systems installed by the Arabs, in Granada, continue to serve the Moorish water gardens.
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