Granada - Architect's Garden

(Local Name: Palacio del Generalife / Jennat al-Arif) To the east of the Alhambra in Granada, on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol, is the Palacio del Generalife, the summer palace of the Moorish kings, which was completed in 1319, during the reign of Ismail I. From the outer gate at the east end of the Alhambra complex a beautiful avenue of cypresses (Paseo de los Cipreses) leads to the 16th century gatehouse. Beyond this is a large court planted with myrtle and laurel hedges and orange-trees through which flows the Acequia del Generalife. At the north end of this court is the Sala de los Reyes (Hall of Kings), adjoining which is a room with an enclosed balcony affording a magnificent view of the Alhambra and the Darro valley; from the belvedere above the hall there is a far-ranging prospect.