Overview of Islamic Gardens: MUSLIM SPAIN

Aside from showing the close connection between the indoors and outdoors, this quote also demonstrates the two themes running through this place. One is the now typical inclusion of water and irrigation channels in Islamic gardens which were applied to the Spanish garden through the use of fountains. The other is the local idea of providing a view over the countryside which was possible because of the geography. Another notable feature of Alhambra mentioned in this description is the use of patios. Patios are remnants of Roman influence and are derived from the Roman atrium in which a central focal point was the pool of water later becoming the fountain. Because the once nomadic Arabs that came to Spain were fond of the use of water the patio with its fountain was easily adaptable to the Islamic garden. One area which makes use of the fountain is the Court of the Lions. This simple space is a courtyard style garden which is divided into four sections with a center fountain surrounded by twelve marble lions. Incidentally animal or human sculptural pieces were not typical to traditional Islamic art and decoration and some Muslims to this day feel that sort of depiction is wrong. Considering this fountain may be attributed to Yusuf b. Naghrallah, the Jewish vizier who would probably have seen no harm in its depiction, that may explain their usage.

THE GENERALIFE

Associated with the Alhambra citadel is the summer garden called the Generalife, or Jinan al-Arif meaning 'gardens of the overseer' (arabic), built sometime before 1319 CE . The garden is entered through the house which leads into the Patio de la Acequia which has a view of the ravine separating it from the Alhambra and a view of more garden terraces leading up to the highest point-- the Sultana's Mirador Pavilion. The Generalife also contains a central canal with fountains shooting water across it from both ends in addition to greenery on both sides. A path crosses the center of the canal making the layout the Persian chahar bagh or quartered garden type. A strictly Islamic feature found here are the lotus-bud fountains which possibly came from Persia because lotus flowers are not common to southern Spain. Here as in the Alhambra gardens the local traditions of patios and views of the countryside are employed whereas the identifying Islamic feature is the subtle use of quartering.

The Generalife and the Alhambra

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