Water management at the Alhambra: A late medieval study

A late medieval study of the Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzín reveals that water management was central to the Nasrid Kingdom's power and prosperity. The research demonstrates how the dynasty, founded in 1238 CE, strategically controlled water supply to support an expanding palace-city, fulfilling essential needs such as hygiene, religious observance, and agricultural cultivation. Water symbolized authority and luxury, evident through numerous baths, fountains, gardens, and reflecting pools, all designed to thrive in an arid environment. The study highlights the dual significance of water—practical and symbolic—providing insight into its role in sustaining both the royal precincts and the surrounding medina, as well as the broader agricultural lands of Granada. Methodologically, the research integrates historical analysis with environmental context to unravel the complexities of Nasrid water management.

Najjaj, A. L. (2014). Water management at the Alhambra: A late medieval study. Proceedings - Irrigation, Society and Landscape. Tribute to Thomas F. Glick, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4995/isl2014.2014.154