THE GENERALIFE 



ACROSS an ivy-draped ravine a perfect study 

 in green and red the Palace of Recreations, 

 the Generalife, overlooks the rugged walls of 

 the Alhambra. The name is believed to have 

 been derived from Jennatu-l'arif, " the garden 

 of the architect." The palace appears to have 

 been built by a Moor called Omar, from whom 

 it was purchased by the Sultan Abu-1-Walid. 

 At the Reconquest it became the property of a 

 renegade prince, Sidi Yahya, who adopted the 

 name of Don Pedro de Granada, and whose 

 descendants, the family of Campotejar, are to 

 this day the actual owners. 



The Generalife cannot be regarded as an 

 important monument of Moorish architecture. 

 Through the central court, which measures 48.70 

 by 12.80 metres, runs the conduit which irrigates 

 the whole estate, and connects with the Acequia 

 (or canal) de la Alhambra. The arcaded southern 

 fagade and the spacious hall adjoining have been 

 altered in order to make a large vestibule. The 

 arcade resembles that of the Court of the Fish- 

 pond, and exhibits a poetical inscription declaring 



