Spain: Real Alcázar, Seville

February 2017

The Alcazar of Seville is one of the most spectacular monuments in Spain. A splendid example of the Mudejar style of architecture, the Alcazar is a must on any Seville itinerary! Also known as the Reales Alcazares de Sevilla, the Royal Alcazar, or the Real Alcazar, the Seville Alcazar is the oldest European royal palace that’s still in use. Located in the heart of the historic core of the Andalusian city, the Royal Alcazar of Seville is part of Seville’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al Qasr means “the castle,” and the roots of the Alcazar of Seville go back to the 10th century, when it was a fortress built by the Moslems. Over the ensuing centuries, the Alcazar of Seville was expanded and ornate palaces and gardens were added to the complex.

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Because of the modifications and additions, the Alcazar of Seville features several architectural styles, including Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and, of course, Mudejar, a combination of Islamic and Christian styles. The Mudejar Palace, built by Pedro I in the 14th century, is the crown jewel of the Seville Alcazar complex. With courtyards surrounded by intricate arches and rooms with ornate ceilings and tile decoration, the palace is a delight to explore. The gardens of the Alcazar of Seville are extensive and beautiful, well worthy of your time. The gorgeous Alcazar of Seville has been featured in many shows and movies. The complex served as the filming location for the Water Gardens of Thorne in Game of Thrones.

https://alcazarseville.com/

Although previously ignorant of Spain, after visiting Seville, I was even more disgusted with myself for not knowing more about that city. The leftover Plaza de España from the Ibero-American Expo, the Cathedral (one of the largest in the world), and its palace/castle were superlative within all of Europe. I never heard of any of them before visiting.

The ex-palace of the Moors (and later the Spanish) was amazing. I bought a ticket and queued to enter "out of curiosity". As I walked through the complex I was completely gobsmacked. How did I not know about it? Other palaces of Europe were certainly larger and perhaps more ornate, but they all bore the same Renaissance/Neo-classical styles. Seville's palace was Moorish - a completely different style (and one with which I was unfamiliar). I loved it.

After that visit, I came to know that Seville's palace was not even considered the "best" in Spain. Granada had a palace so beautiful and famous, tickets were booked out months in advance. What?? I immediately had a new goal - see Granada.

Thanks to Seville I became a fan of Moorish architecture in Spain and that spurred me on to visit Morocco (which I loved).

Some of the best parts of life are those journeys that are unexpected.