Alcazar Of Seville, Spain
Posted On November 24, 2009
The Alcazar of Seville is a royal palace located in Seville, a city in Spain. The Alcazar was originally a Moorish fort. Al-Muwarak was the first built place on the modern say Alcazar site. Al-Muwarak was build by Almohades. Alcazar of Seville is one of the best examples of the Mudejar architecture that has remained even today. With the passing time new monarchs came and added their own flavors to the Mudejar architecture. The royal family still lives on the upper floor of the Alcazars as they are supposed to be official Seville residence. Alcazar of Seville is now-a-days administered by Patrimonio Nacional.
The Alcázar of Seville was built during the Almohad reign during the 12th Century. Christian ruler Pedro I rebuilt the palace. All that remains from the old palace is the section of walls and gardens. In the new construction the palace was designed according to the Islamic tradition, which gave it a look of the traditional Islamic palaces which were located on Iberia Peninsula.
The three sides of the palaces have been arranged in blocks with the fourth side having a rectangular court that has an entrance from the old Almohad wall. The wall has arch openings. Interlacing polylobed arcades are located just opposite to the entrance wall. When you walk through the entrance you will come across a rectangular courtyard which is named the Patio de las Doncellas. On the way you will come across the two rectangular halls.
The reception hall that surrounds the Patio de las Doncellas has wooden doors, tiled dados, ceilings etc. the architecture will give you a feel of being in Nasrid palaces of the Alhambra. The floor of the palace is done with the white marble. Patio de las Doncellas have a huge centrally located water fountain. Reference made to Pedro I as a king can be seen in the courtyard, palace, wood as well as Stucco. On the above mentioned places Arabic inscription of sultan is made. The Hall of justice is located on the block which is on the west side of the entrance.
The Islamic look that the Alcazar has is due to the influence of the Muslim craftsmen who were the helping hand in the construction of the palace. The Muslim artists were specially called from Granada. Apart from the Muslim artists many other craftsmen worked on the palace their influence is seen in the monasteries, churches and synagogues.
The important sections of the palace are Patio de las Doncellas, Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla, La Casa de Contratación, Patio de las Muñecas, Dormitorio de los Reyes Moros, Patio de la Monteria, Salón de Embajadores, 1427 by Charles V
The nearest airport to reach Alcazar of Seville is San Pablo Airport Seville (SVQ), Spain from where you can take a cab, car, bus or train to reach to the Alcazar of Sevilla.
