Generalife, Granada, Spain - SpottingHistory.com

The Palacio de Generalife was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers of the Emirate of Granada. The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammed II (1273-1302), Sultan of Granada, and later by Muhammed III (1302–1309). They were redecorated shortly after by Abu I-Walid Isma'il (1313–1324). Much of the garden is a recent reconstruction of dubious authenticity.

The complex consists of the Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel or Water-Garden Courtyard), which has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions, and the Jardím de la Sultana (Sultana's Garden or Courtyard of the Cypress). The former is thought to best preserve the style of the medieval Persian garden in Al-Andalus.

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 present-day gardens were started in 1931 and completed by Francisco Prieto Moreno in 1951. 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.

The Generalife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Granada, along with the Alhambra palace and gardens, and the Albayzín district.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Diana Špoljar (3 months ago)
Beautiful gardens and palace. You can take a lovely walk in the gardens and enjoy all the flowers and the view of the city and Alhambra. The palace is not big, but is very charming.

Ignacio Trevilla (3 months ago)
Amazing place, but if I have to choose between this and the Palacios Nazaries, I will always choose the palacios. The generalife its a good complement to the visit, but be aware of hot temperatures on Summer, try to get there early in the morning!

Alex S (4 months ago)
The gardens are nice but you can find even better looking ones during your visit at Alhambra.

Loai Z (5 months ago)
Nice palace but the best is the Nazeri palace of whole al Hambra palaces

C C (6 months ago)
The oldest Moorish garden built in the early 14th century

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