¿Te has preguntado alguna vez qué es el Generalife? En este artículo, exploramos de manera breve la historia y curiosidades de sus jardines. ¡Acompáñanos en este viaje para descubrir los secretos que hacen que este lugar sea un destino único y fascinante para la multitud de turistas que lo visitan a lo largo del tiempo.
What is the Generalife?
It is one of the most emblematic and beautiful corners of the city of Granada, together with the Alhambra. and where you can visit the Patio de la Acequia, the Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana and finally the Jardines Altos by the Escalera del Agua.
Did you know that the gardens of the Generalife, along with those of the Alhambra, are the oldest gardens in Europe? To give you an idea of what the Hispano-Muslim gardens were like, the Generalife in Granada is the only example that remains today.
Today, it remains a authentic symbol of Andalusian architecture and is one of the most visited areas of the city by a multitude of tourists who want to know what the Generalife is and learn more about it.
You should know that to access these gardens, it is not necessary to enter the Alhambra enclosure, as they are located outside the Alhambra.
Generalife Gardens: history
Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Generalife is a palace that is located on the Sabika hill and was used as a country house and resting place by the Muslim kings. It is also surrounded by orchards and fruit gardens that were used in the Nasrid period to supply the Alhambra.
In 1984 it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Lower Gardens
Built between 1931 and 1951, interpreting the Muslim garden. Originally this was a supply area for the whole palace and was later transformed into the current Lower Gardens, with the aim of unifying the Alhambra with the Generalife in a more visual way.
High Gardens
Landscaped in the 19th century the gardens are accessed by a steep staircase that starts from the Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana (Sultana's Cypress Courtyard). From these gardens you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Alhambra.
In the Altos del Generalife Gardens the transition of landscape art between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance can be observed.
Acequia Courtyard
Data from the Nasrid period although it has undergone various modifications over the years and is one of the most emblematic spaces in the Generalife.
In it you can find the Acequia Real, it was responsible for bringing the water from a dam to the Generalife and then distributing it to the Alhambra.
Sultana Cypress Courtyard
This space was originally intended for the palace's bathing facilities, so virtually nothing remains today, except for the canal's water inlet.
In 1584, the porticoed building that houses the present-day Patio del Ciprés de la Sultana was erected. and the result of the transformation is a baroque-style garden.
Why are they called the gardens of the Generalife?
Now that you know what the Generalife is, what is its name? The origin of the name of the Generalife (in Arabic Jannat al-'Arif), although of dubious provenance, has been the subject of different interpretations, one of which says it comes from the ‘Garden of the Architect in a clear poetic-religious symbolism that alludes to God, Allah, as architect, creator of the Universe, and another says it means ’Garden of Paradise".
How long does it take to see the Generalife gardens?
The length of the visit to the gardens of the Generalife will depend on the visitor's interest and pace, but in general, it is recommended that you spend at least between 1.5 and 3 hours to tour and get to know its main areas.
¿Estás pensando en visitar los jardines del Generalife? A pesar de que está abierto todos los días y puedes ir a visitarlo cualquier día de la semana, recuerda planificar tu visita con tiempo si no te quieres quedar sin entradas debido a la alta demanda.
No solo vale con saber qué es el Generalife. Es un espacio digno de ver para creer, por lo que reserva tu visita con nosotros y sumérgete en su historia.