Designed to imitate the heavens, Islamic gardens are lush oases of scent, water and sacred geometry. They are a cool place of rest and a reminder of paradise.
To celebrate the arrival of spring, here are 20 beautiful Islamic gardens from across the world…
1/ Gardens at Alcázar of Seville, Spain
These lesser known gardens are mesmerising in their own right. Built by the Moorish Muslim kings, today the Alcázar of Seville is considered to be one of the world’s most impressive examples of Mudéjar architecture.
Image credit @dralbarjas on IG
2/ Nishat Bagh (Urdu: نشاط باغ) Jammu and Kashmir
Built in 1663, it is the second largest Mughal garden in the Kashmir Valley. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, and means the "Garden of Joy," "Garden of Gladness" and "Garden of Delight.
Image credit Pinterest
3/ Le Jardin Secret, Marrakech, Morocco.
Hidden within the narrow Marrakech streets is an extraordinary Islamic garden, its initial foundations dated from the 16th century, restored in 2016, it is now open to the public.
Image credit @thetravellergirl on IG
4/ Naranjestan Garden ( Bagh-e Naranjestan)
Narenjestan garden is one of the 9 Iranian gardens considered a UNESCO world heritage site. This stunning Qatar era garden was used for parties and receiving formal guests by Ghavam family and gets its name from its sour orange trees.
Image credit Repost from @iraneshghe on IG
5/ The Shalimar Gardens, Lahore, Pakistan
Gardens date from the period when the Mughal Empire was at its artistic & aesthetic zenith & are a popular tourist destinations. They were laid out as a Persian paradise garden intended to create a representation of an earthly utopia.
Image credit TripAdvisor
6/ The Great Mosque of Paris Gardens, France
The garden of the Mosque is inspired by the Alhambra in Grenada; and in the patio surrounded by finely sculpted arches. The mosque was built to pay tribute to the 100,000 Muslim fighters who died for France in the First World War.
Image credit Lamia Belkacem
Gardens at Cambridge Central Mosque
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