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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 which were 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.
Paradeisos Gardens
A thousand years before Islam arose, Paradeisos gardens already existed. They originated from Egyptian and Grecian Gardens. The Greeks and Egyptians based their gardening concepts - from the Garden of Eden and the Hanging Gardens of Bayblon.
What was a Paradeiso Garden?
Created to escape the torrid temperatures of the surrounding arid, desert climes, highly valued for their protection from the sun's burning glare. Shaded areas provided vital coolness, the energizing sight of flowers, set alongside rippling water were heaven-sent relief.
The Arabs and their Love for the Beauty of Flowering Spring Bulbs
Though the spring bulbs' blossom season was swift, the Arabs were passionate about tulips, irises, narcissus and lillies. Spring bulbs' and spring flowers' scent: honeysuckle, jazmin and roses was assidiously distilled; their sensational colour-display was woven into Persian (and Moorish) silk carpets to memorize their glory.
Silver, Pearls and Emeralds...
A particularly revealing historic carpet, was that of 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 in 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
Lively Water Gardens Generalife
There are 59 white Maceal marble foutains in the Alhambra.
Oldest Palatial Moorish Water Gardens:
Madinat-az-Zahra 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.
The still ponds are calming, contrasting, with the gently bubbling fountains - intentionally created to induce peaceful Meditation.
Lily Flower Ponds, Generalife
Evaporation from the water channels served as natural-cooling systems. Walled interior patios were created to contain the coolness within. The blazing summer heat was thus reduced. The refeshing gardens were favourites with royal occupants.
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, Mezquita, Roman Bridge and the Palacio Episcopal, the seal authenticates Cordobes artisan-work
Water Qanat, Medina az-Zahra. Qanats 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. Prior to construction commenced on the city, the area was mined with qanats.
Technology of the qanat, originated from pre-Islamic Persia.
Water Paths descending different levels at the Alhambra Golden Age TechnologyPopulations of: Cordoba, Baghdad, Fez, Marrakkech and Damascus increased rapidly. Water supply was essential. Cordoba 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.
Malaga Alcazaba
Water paths were not interupted
"Gardens Under Which Rivers Flow"Malaga Alcazaba,
Fountain and water path
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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