The Alhambra and the Generalife

The “Guide” is a literary genre with a long, fruitful tradition. Art historians of importance have had no qualms about availing themselves of the genre in order to present their research findings in a concise format that successfully accomplished the enlightened ideal of popularizing knowledge. While it is an efficient companion for the walks it proposes, this volume aims to be a practical study guide, too. In preparing this guide to the Alhambra and the Generalife –with support from the University of Granada and the Andalusian regional government Department of Innovation, Science and Business- the authors have conducted substantial research into the Nasrid complex, drawing on the most recent studies of the precinct and on state-of-the-art methodology in art history. The book is in two parts. The first, an introductory “History of the Alhambra: spaces, life and people” establishes the principle themes that are later elaborated by following the proposed routes through the precinct. These reveal the architecture, in relation to its practical and symbolic functions, the historic layers of Muslim and Christian features, the use of spaces from feminine and masculine perspectives, the architectural defences, and so on. The second part, “Visit to the Alhambra and the Generalife”, proposes an exhaustive, documented, guided tour of the inside of the walled precinct and the Generalife estate but it also invites us to follow other, complementary paths through the wooded Bosque de