The water in Al Andalus

Water is a symbol of life in all civilisations, but for Muslims, water has a much broader meaning. This was mainly due to their origins, since they were peoples who came from the desert to colonise the Iberian Peninsula.

They developed a sophisticated water economy that reached a level never seen before. There were several decisive factors for this development, which will be outlined in this article.

New forms of agriculture

The introduction of a great variety of new irrigated cultures to the Iberian Peninsula led to the need for irrigation management.

A large part of the fruits and vegetables that reached Europe and even the Americas over the centuries were introduced by Muslims through Andalusia. Most of these crops require a high amount of water.

In Islam, water is sacred

The Holy Qur’an says that water is an essential element, a divine gift. Only Allah has the gift to give it or deny it.

Water is associated with the purification of the body, but also of the soul. Hence the need to perform ablutions before prayer.

Water and architecture

Water and architecture are inseparable in Muslim architecture. It is impossible to understand the planning of any city in Al Andalus without taking this principle into account.

In any settlement that has some significance, we find a hammam near a mosque. On Fridays before prayer, people would first go to the hammam before going to the mosque for prayer.

Another interesting element is the complex and perfect planning of the canals and cisterns in the cities. The Muslim rulers were Allah’s representatives on earth, and one of their most important tasks was to ensure the water supply for the population.

Everyone has the right to get water. A sentence that has once again become absolutely relevant.

The water network made water available everywhere. The richest people could store it in their houses in large jugs or small basins. The more modest families who did not have enough space to store it could help themselves to the public cisterns to fetch water.

These hydraulic systems are so perfect that the city of Granada still preserves 28 cisterns from the Islamic period in the Albaicín district alone. There are also kilometres of irrigation canals criss-crossing the city. And finally, there is a network of irrigation ditches that are still in use in many places and bring life to the fields.

Water as an element of recreation

Water was a fundamental element in a Muslim home. It provided coolness, humidity, tranquillity, well-being and enlivened gardens.

The quest for paradise on earth led to the use of water in the construction of wells, open canals and ponds whose water served as a mirror, which still surprises us today.

Water appears in the heart of the Islamic house, that is, in the courtyard, the place where most life takes place.

The city of Granada was surrounded by large almunias. They were places of recreation, surrounded by miles of orchards and fruit trees where water was vital. These almunias were linked to production and brought their owners a very high income.

The most famous of these almunias is the famous Generalife, which allowed the sultans who lived in the Alhambra to get away from the problems at the court.

Water has many lives

This is a basic principle that was well known in Islam.

The same water is used as often as possible. Let’s look at an example of how it is applied in the Alhambra.

The water is collected and passed through the Acequia Real (royal irrigation ditch) and thanks to the filtration of the irrigation ditch, it comes to life along its entire length.

Later, it has the task of irrigating the entire Generalife hill and its numerous cultures.

Along its course it fills cisterns and basins that provide the daily water supply and create the pressure with which the water rises to higher ground.

It ensures the life of the population and the survival of the handicraft businesses.

Laws and regulations regarding water

Such a precious and vital commodity for daily life in Al Andalus had to be well regulated. In fact, there were many laws that regulated its proper use, distribution and taxation. Let us look at some of them.

In palaces it once serves as a mirror, its splashing is relaxing, it is a symbol of power, it refreshes the rooms and so on. Today, as yesterday, water has not only one use, but thousands of them. This idea should be part of our children’s learning, in our daily lives. Water follows the Quranic principles of fair distribution and good use.

History is basically there to learn from, and in relation to water this is absolutely essential.

I would like to invite you to my guided tours. These tours are aimed at all audiences, but especially at children. They discover the universe of water in the Albaicín and the Alhambra through puzzles and questions. Guided tours that are educational and entertaining at the same time, for families with children, school classes, clubs, etc. Discover a way for your children to have fun and learn at the same time.

I look forward to seeing you on my tours.

For more information, call 00 34 617 35 90 90 43 and visitgranada.com.