Granada, in southern Spain, is of course most famous for the Alhambra and Generalife gardens. The Mosque of Granada is located in the Albaicin, the Moorish quarter and oldest part of Granada, at the top of the hill and affording spectacular views of the city and the Alhambra on the other side of the river. The gardens are typical of Moorish gardens found in Andalusia, with pebble patio flooring designs, and fountains.
Tag Archives: landscaping
The Alcazaba Gardens: Alhambra’s Fortress in Granada, Spain
Granada, in southern Spain, is of course most famous for the Alhambra and Generalife gardens. The Alcazaba was built as a fortress and is the oldest part of the Alhambra. The gardens of the Alcazaba are small but offer sweeping views of the city, as well as fountains and other features typically found in Moorish style gardens.
The garden proper is called Jardin de los Adarves. It is a long and narrow garden on the side of the Alcazaba overlooking the city.
Pebble Designs & Patio Flooring Ideas from the Courtyards of Spain
Beautiful patios can be found throughout Andalusia, influenced bytthe Moors that ruled in Southern Spain until a final defeat in 1492. Cordoba embraced this heritage in its patio tradition perhaps more than any other Spanish city and has been celebrating with its famous Patio Festival in May since 1933.
Found throughout the south of Spain is the use of intricate pebble designs not only in the patios and courtyards, but also in many public areas and city squares. I am featuring here some of the many designs I came across in particular in Granada , Cordoba and Sevilla.
A Fanciful Garden at the School of Applied Arts in Cordoba
The School of Applied Art in Cordoba, Spain, is perhaps best known for famed Spanish artist Angel Lopez Obrero. He was born in Cordoba, and after some time living in Barcelona he returned to his hometown and taught at the School of Applied Arts there. The school, housed in an old building in one of Cordoba’s historic neighborhoods, also has some stunning stained glass. And of course, a lovely walled-in sculpture garden.
Quimper Old Priory Medieval Gardens Part III: Edibles & Tinctorials
In this third and last post on the Priory gardens of Quimper, I am featuring the back of the garden (shown on the left of the map) where edibles are grown, as well as those plants used for making and coloring clothing.
Quimper Old Priory Medieval Gardens Part II: Pavilion & Rose Garden
In my earlier post, I talked about the history and significance of this garden, and showcase the aromatics and medicinal plant garden. Here, I am featuring the center portion of the garden including the rose garden and pergola, and the pavilion with the fountain representing the source of the four fountains of Eden.
A Narrow Orchard Garden Overlooking the Ocean
If I had visited this garden somewhere in the countryside, I would merely have thought it was a pretty garden like many others. What makes this one truly exceptional is its location on the coast of Roscanvel in Bittany. It is on a narrow stretch of land overlooking the ocean and the edge of the garden plunges straight down below to the water.
Some of the plantings include apple and pear trees, a hedge of fuschias (a variety common to this coastal region which is winter hardy there and will grow over six feet tall), blue agapanthus, and oleander. Box hedges on the ocean side open to narrow stairs leading down to the water. Just imagine puttering around the garden in such a setting!
Globetrotting Gardener 
