Seville 6 of 8

The Alcazar Palace  is an incredible building. It is a perfect example of a spectacular fusion of Islamic and Spanish Christian architecture.

The name Alcazar comes from the Abraic word 'a-qsar' which translates as 'palace' or 'castle'. Most of the  buildings of the Alcazar were built between the 8th and 15th centuries.

As early as 913 building on this site began with the erection of a Moorish fortress built by the first Caliph of Andalucia. This was destroyed after the Christian conquest of Seville and the Alcazar Palace was built on the site for King Peter of Castile in the 1350's. 

Today it is the residence of his royal majesty Juan Carlos when he is visiting Seville so it's one of the oldest palaces still in use, in the world. The Alcazar Palace  is an incredible building complex with its maze of rooms, balconies, courtyards and  series of gardens.

The main entrance for tourist is through the Gate of the Lion which is set in a high maroon-red wall with a tile-work inlay right above its imposing arched doorway. This 19th century tile work depicts a lion wearing a crown and holding a cross in its claws. The lion speaks of the rule and power, the cross has religious significance of the rule of the Catholic faith.

We noted right up front that the palace buildings displayed various types of architecture. We could see Islamic designs, gothic and Renaissance styles across the facade of the palace buildings. Our guide pointed out to us the changes that had occurred over the centuries as new rulers put their stamp on the palace by remodelling, refurbishing, demolishing sections and rebuilding additions as they saw fit or as fashion and progress in building design demanded.

We entered an elaborate internal courtyard with an elongated reflection pool an a sunken garden on either side. A two storey covered patio area surrounds the  open courtyard.  The lower patio area  which has ornately caved  lattice-lace arches was built for King Peter. 

of Castile in the 1350's. The upper patio level is a completely different style with an Italian Renaissance architectural design. This addition was added by Charles V, was began in 1540 and completed in 1572.  It was a 30 year project but is still used today by the royal family as their Seville home, foe entertaining international leaders and heads of governments from the various provinces of Spain.

What a peaceful internal courtyard it was. Away from the hustle and bustle of the old town, the heat of a summers day and the worries of palace life.

 We spent the next two hours being guided around the palace. Our guide was very knowledgeable and she took us from room to room  all the while explaining which period the room had been remodelled and by whom. All I can say is that many rules of Seville had a busy time and paid for and organising the building of this palace.of course they would have employed clever artisans and builders and architects and these are the people who do such a fantastic job in  creating, designing, decorating and building this palace and it's wonderful gardens.  Every room we entered was large very high ceilings, huge windows which gave excellent light the rooms each had  their own unique style. There are many impressive rooms but I can only share a few with you  because I have forgotten some facts and there are so many. What was once King Peters' summer bedroom was a huge downstairs room with very decorative hand painted tiles on the walls and ceiling. It would have been lovely and cool in the hot summer but awfully cold in the winter. King Peter would move upstairs in the winter months where it was much much warmer as the floor  was carpeted and the walls were lined in timber panelling.

Another room that was very impressive was the central meeting room in the Gothic part of the palace. It had the high Gothic ceilings with  detailed curved archers as you see in churches. The walls were hung with beautiful tapestries and the lower half of the walls was decorated in hand painted tiles so popular in Seville. The floors too were covered in patterned tiles and huge belated-brass light fittings hung from the ceiling above. 

One thing our guide kept reminding us as we walked around the palace, was to look up at the ceilings in. The ceilings in all the rooms are spectacular.  They are very ornamental. Some are covered in gold, others are carved in marble or  have  ornate paintings  or decorative designs on them.  Some of the rooms were furnished and displayed beautiful statues, vases, wall hangings, tapestries, urns and carved furniture. 

However, I think that the most impressive feature to out the palace is it hand painted tile tiles which are used in  just about every room of the palace.