What is the Generalife and why is it important?

The Generalife became a leisure place for the kings of Granada when they wanted to get away from the official affairs of the palace. It was built in the 13th century and it was redecorated by the king Abu I-Walid Isma’il (1313-1324), as it is explained by an inscription that dates from 1319.

Why is Generalife important?

The Generalife is a former palace and country estate built by the Muslim Conquerers who occupied parts of the Iberian peninsula from the 8th century onwards. The Generalife was first and foremost designed as a place of rest and respite for the sultans and emirs who resided in the sumptuous Alhambra palace.

What does Generalife mean in Spanish?

The name ‘Generalife’ means ‘garden of the architect’. The Generalife is located on the hill Cerro del Sol, adjacent to the Alhambra. Originally it was most probably an architect’s house that later passed to the royal family and was remodelled.

Who built the Generalife?

Based on the oldest decorations studied in the palace, the Generalife was originally constructed by either Muhammad II (1273–1302) at the end of the 13th century or by Muhammad III (1302–1309) at the beginning of the 14th century.

When was the Alhambra built?

1238
The first kings of Granada, the Zirtians, had their castles and palaces in the hills of Albaicin, and nothing remains of them. The monarchs Ziries were in all probability the emirs who built the Alhambra, beginning in 1238. The founder of the dynasty, Muhammed Al-Ahmar, began with the restoration of the old fort.

Why is the Alhambra a Unesco?

The palace was built for by the Nasrid dynasty in the 14th century. Albayzin, on the other hand, is the residential district in this UNESCO site. This residential area was included in the UNESCO protected area because it exhibits the Moorish influence when it comes to town planning and architecture.

What is the Alhambra Spain?

The Alhambra is an ancient palace, fortress and citadel located in Granada, Spain. The eighth-century-old site was named for the reddish walls and towers that surrounded the citadel: al-qal’a al-hamra in Arabic means red fort or castle.

Who was the king of Granada when the Generalife was built?

The Generalife became a leisure place for the kings of Granada when they wanted to get away from the official affairs of the palace. It was built in the 13th century and it was redecorated by the king Abu I-Walid Isma’il(1313-1324), as it is explained by an inscription that dates from 1319.

How did the Generalife garden get its name?

There are different interpretations of the meaning of its name: the Governor’s Garden, the Architect’s (alarife) Garden, the Vegetable Garden of the Gypsy Festivity Organiser, etc. The Generalife became a leisure place for the kings of Granada when they wanted to get away from the official affairs of the palace.

When was the Generalife of Alhambra built?

It was built in the 13th century and it was redecorated by the king Abu I-Walid Isma’il (1313-1324), as it is explained by an inscription that dates from 1319. This means that the Generalife was built before the Comares Palace. In spite of it being very close to the Alhambra and the close relationship between the two complexes,…

Where was the Governor’s Garden in Granada located?

It occupied the slopes of the Hill of the Sun (Cerro del Sol), from which there is a complete view over the city and the valleys of the rivers Genil and Darro. There are different interpretations of the meaning of its name: the Governor’s Garden, the Architect’s (alarife) Garden, the Vegetable Garden of the Gypsy Festivity Organiser, etc.