Page 500 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

498  SOUTHERN SP AIN

Granada: Generalife
From the Alhambra’s northern side, a footpath leads to
the Generalife, the country estate of the Nasrid kings.
Here, they could escape from palace intrigues and enjoy
tranquillity high above the city, a little closer to heaven.
The name Generalife, or Yannat al Arif, has various
interpretations, perhaps the most pleasing being
“the garden of lofty paradise”. The gardens, begun
in the 13th century, have been modified over the years.
They originally contained orchards and pastures. The
Generalife provides a magical setting for Granada’s The Patio de la Acequia is an enclosed
annual music and dance festival (see p45). Oriental garden built round a long
central pool. Rows of water jets on
Sala Regia either side make graceful arches
above it.
Jardines Altos
(Upper Gardens)

The Escalera del Agua
is a staircase with water
flowing gently down it.
The Patio de los Cipreses, otherwise
known as the Patio de la Sultana, was
the secret meeting place for Zoraya,
Entrance wife of the Sultan Abu-l-Hasan, and her
lover, the chief of the Abencerrajes.
The Patio de Polo
was the courtyard The Patio del Generalife lies just before
where palace the entrance to the Generalife. The walk
visitors, arriving on from the Alhambra to the Generalife
horse back, would
tether their steeds. gardens passes first through the Jardines
Bajos (lower gardens), before crossing this
Moorish patio with its characteristically
geometric pool.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp572–4 and pp598–602

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