Alhambra, the Islamic wonder in Spain – Part III. Granada, Spain.

To finish Granada, some words about Generalife and Charles V. Since the Catholic Monarchs took the city of Granada, a great number of restorations have been carried out, although the most important works were done under the order of Charles V, when several rooms were added to the Alhambra and the Charles V palace was built. Today, with a free entrance, Charles V palace, is a very well preserved spot with two very modern and organized museums, telling the stories of this magnificent place. Nevertheless, the Alhambra has always maintained its character of beautiful Muslim palace. A reference also to the Palacio de Generalife (Arabic: Jannat al-'Arif - Architect's Garden) was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid sultans of Granada. The palace and gardens were built during the reign of Muhammad III (1302-1309) and redecorated shortly after by Abu I-Walid Isma'il (1313-1324). The complex consists of the Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel or Water-Garden Courtyard), which has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions, and the Sultana's Garden or Courtyard of the Cypress. The former is thought to best preserve the style of the medieval garden in Al-Andalus. Originally the palace was linked to the Alhambra by a covered walkway across the ravine that now divides them. The Generalife is one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens, very cool in the hot summer days of Andalusia. Next post will be about Cordova.