Generalife, Recreational palace garden in Granada, Spain
Generalife is a royal palace with extensive gardens on Cerro del Sol overlooking Granada and surrounding valleys. The complex combines residential buildings with carefully designed garden spaces, water features, and shaded walkways that wind through the grounds.
The palace was built in the 13th century as a retreat for Granada's kings. King Abu I-Walid Ismail reshaped the complex significantly between 1313 and 1324, creating most of the features visible today.
The name comes from Arabic "Yannat al-Arif," meaning "Garden of the Architect," reflecting the connection between human creation and divine inspiration. This idea still appears today in how water and plants are arranged in carefully planned patterns throughout the grounds.
A visit takes about an hour and requires a separate ticket from the Nasrid Palaces, located about 700 meters away. It helps to arrive early in the morning, as the grounds become very hot in direct sun and shaded spots fill up quickly.
The Water Staircase is a clever cooling device where water flows through the handrails, offering natural refreshment on hot days. Visitors can dip their hands into the flowing water and feel the cooling effect as they walk through the grounds.
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