The Alhambra of Granada: hydraulic masterpiece of Muslim Spain

A 13th-century architectural masterpiece dominates the city of Granada, illustrating the technical genius of its era. This palatial complex, perched 200 meters above the main river, is home to one of the most advanced hydraulic systems of its time.

At the heart of this ensemble is a remarkable ornamental fountain: twelve animal sculptures in white marble feed, through their mouths, four symbolic channels on the ground. This unique installation also serves as a clock thanks to an ingenious water flow regulation mechanism.

The entire hydraulic network, combining dams, pipes and pressurization basins, made it possible to supply baths and lush gardens. This technical feat, developed between the 8th and 15th centuries, testifies to an exceptional mastery of medieval hydraulic engineering.

The water supply system defies the laws of gravity by bringing water up from the river nearly a kilometer below. A storage basin overlooking the palace maintains the pressure necessary to supply the entire network of fountains, baths and irrigation of the gardens.

The site, which can still be visited today, particularly attracts the attention of enthusiasts of the history of science and technology. Beyond its architectural beauty, it allows us to understand how the builders of the time took up the challenge of supplying water to a palace located at a height.

This achievement reminds us that the great architectural achievements of the Middle Ages were already based on major technological innovations, foreshadowing the challenges of modern engineering.