The palace of El Generalife dates from the beginning of the 14th century according to a tablet in memory of Ismael I. It used to be the residence on El Cerro del Sol where the Granada kings retired to rest. It was connected with La Alhambra. Of small size, it is an extraordinary combination of terraced gardens, pools, fountains and water jets arranged from north to south around La Acequia Courtyard,
where the play of water achieves surprising effects. The courtyard is bounded by plasterwork arcades, the northern one of which leads to a number of rooms and windowed balconies.
From El Cipres de la Sultana Courtyard fragant gardens can be visited as well as La Escalera del Agua o De las Cascadas. The poems of Ibn al-Yayyab adorn the walls of El Generalife, which has a theater where the International Festival of Music and Dance takes place every year. La Silla del Moro was the watch-tower of this and other houses of Nasrid leisure, such as the refurbished Dar al-Arusa.
Source: tourist booklets edited and published by Turespaña
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