The Alhambra was a palace, citadel, residence of the Sultans and the senior civil servants, servants of the court and elite soldiers (XIII and XIV centuries). It is actually a monument in which there are four areas; the Palaces, the military zone or citadel, the city or Medina and the agricultural farm of the Generalife, all in a setting of wooded areas, gardens and agricultural land.
Alhambra museum and Charles V Palace
In addition, there are outstanding buildings from different ages, like the renaissance Palace of Charles V, where the Alhambra Museum can be found, housing objects mainly from the Monument itself, and the Museum of Fine Arts.
In order to appreciate the architectural values of the Alhambra it is advisable to go to the Albaicin area (the San Nicolas Viewing Point) or to Sacromonte. From here one can understand the spectacular relation of the Alhambra to Granada city and its surroundings.
The Generalife Gardens
Were constucted in terraces on the hillside of the Cerro del Sol, the hill which faces the Sabika (where the Alhambra is located) in the reign of King Muhammed III (1302 – 1309). From this location it dominates a marvellous environment: the Albayzín, the Alhambra, the Valley and the Sierra Nevada.
The Generalife was a rustic villa or royal retreat surrounded by gardens that allowed the royal family to relax.
The word Generalife is Arabic, made up of the word djennat, garden or paradise, and alarif, architect. But according to Hernando de Baeza, ambassador of Boabdil, its true significance was to be “the most noble and best of all gardens”. For Fernández Puertas it was the “The garden of the highest paradise”.
The royal garden existed in all the muslim courts such as the Rusafa and Medina Azahara (Córdoba).
Guaranteed tickets to the Alhambra and Generalife
Guaranteed tickets to the Alhambra and Generalife, collection from your hotel in Granada between 9.30 and 10.00 and returns to the hotel, accompanying guide, official guided tour of the Alhambra in your selected language.