Gardens, landscape, and vision in the palaces of Islamic Spain /

Ruggles (Cornell Univ.) introduces a revised interpretation of Spanish gardens during the period of Islamic rule from the eighth through the 15th centuries. She presents the view that the early gardens, traditionally considered as symbolic of paradise, strongly reflected sociopolitical concern and environmental transformations. The paradisaic meanings of these famous gardens, symbolism associated with Koranic text, evolved with the siting of tombs in the gardens. That the architectural vocabulary remained somewhat constant while the meaning of the forms shifted over time is a principal thesis presented in this book. The writing is scholarly, thorough, and engaging. The royal palace gardens of Cordoba and the visually stunning Alhambra at Granada are splendid examples discussed in detail. The illustrations, which are thoughtfully positioned throughout the text, include a dozen color plates and numerous black-and-white photographs, drawings, maps, and plans. A substantial bibliography and extensively annotated notes supplement the text. Highly recommended for landscape architecture and garden collections. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. ; North Carolina State University