Last updated on 10 April 08
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Alhambra

4.7/5 (3 ratings)

Photograph © Gardenvisit.com

Gardenvisit Editorial

The best and most famous late-medieval castle gardens in Europe stand on a fortified plateau, across a valley from the Generalife and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. Before reaching Spain, the Moors had seen and occupied Roman villas. Muhammad I (1230-72) made the Alhambra his palace and much of the work was done in the reigns of Yusuf I (1333-54) and Muhammad V (1354-91). The overall plan of the plateau resembles that of Hadrian's Villa. In Arabic, Alhambra means Red Castle. Muhammad ibn-Yusuf ibn-Nash commissioned the garden. The Lion Fountain, from which the brilliant Court of the Lions takes its name, dates from the eleventh century. The Court of the Pool is ordered, beautifully proportioned and rich in Islamic detail. The palace windows frame views of the surrounding landscape, as though they were oriental minatures. The importance of the Alhambra in garden history cannot be over-stated: it is a distillation of the East Mediteranean tradition of garden-making; it is the prime example of garden design from the period; it is a great work of art which may have inspired the enclosed knot and parterre gardens of northern Europe; it is packed with visitors. Charles V added a renaissance palace (1527-68) with a marvellous circular courtyard. It was made because his young Portuguese wife disliked Moorish architecture, but it was unused for centuries and sits uneasily with the older structures. Authors become lyrical in the Alhambra and the father of American literature, Washington Irving, published a colourful account in 1832.

Address - Granada, Andalucia, Spain
Opening times - All year. Daily. Open 9.30am to dusk.
Admission - Entrance fee applies
Website - Visit the Alhambra website

Local Hotels

Hotels within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Apartamentos Montesclaros (0km away)
From €64.00 to €200.00
Pension Suecia (0km away)
From €28.00 to €666.00
Casablanca (0km away)
From €30.00 to €125.00
Apartamentos Plaza Nueva (0km away)
From €80.00 to €150.00
La Casa de la Trinidad (0km away)
From €65.00 to €365.00
Hotel Casa Morisca (0km away)
From €100.00 to €162.00
Las Nieves (0km away)
From €40.00 to €160.00
Maciá Plaza (0km away)
From €45.00 to €160.00

Nearby Gardens

Gardens within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Generalife Garden (0km away)
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Carmen de los Martires (0km away)
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Carmen de Rodriguez-Acosta (0km away)
Huerta de San Vicente (1km away)

Luxury Garden Hotels

Nearby Recommended Garden Hotels

Room Mate Migueletes
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Reviews and Comments

Have you visited this garden?

over 3 years ago G&MOB said
My wife & I visited the Alhambra in Sept 08. The palaces and gardens are stunning and lived up to all our expectations. What a legacy the Moors left behind. A place of beauty and a joy to visit.

(5.0/5)
about 4 years ago Awayed, A. said
I found the Alhambra very romantic, the use of water was brilliant. The overlooking siting is fascinating. Landscape and architecture complement each other.

(5.0/5)
over 4 years ago Manu said
OK, its a really great place. But I have taken off one star because it was so crowded with noisy tourists when I was there. My memory of the Alhambra is being jostled!

(4.0/5)

See all the reviews of Alhambra

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