What constitutes a garden? According to, for example, Wikipedia it may be “defined as a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature”. A few years ago I paid a visit to the majestic Almería Alcazaba in southern Spain. It was built by the Moors in the late 900s with fortification in mind. Later it was modified and extended by Catholic rulers, still with the role of shelter against hostile intentions as a guideline.
I would say that most people visit the site to explore this history. What they perhaps don’t bargain on is to find a most gorgeous garden experience. Fountains and rills sit next to exotic vegetation and formal borders. It’s an interesting juxtaposition. How the garden design evolution came about I’ve not been able to find out. But I do know, for a fact, that a (garden) visit won’t disappoint. As these photos hopefully vouch for.
