Seville: The nest of the Castilian monarchy

Real Alcazar in the Plaza del Triumfo

Puerta del Leon - the main entrance to the palace

Seville experienced its period of greatest splendour under the dynasty of the Almohads at the beginning of the 12th century

The crowned lion of the Gate reminds us that the area we are about to enter is a royal site

The Almohad Walls

The Patio de la Monteria

The Pario de las Doncellas

Caliphal art - extendly seen in the Throne Room (or Ambassadors' Hall)

Galeria de los Grutescos

"The highest, noblest, most powerful all-conquering King Pedro I, King by grace of God, of Castile and Leon ordered these gardens, palaces and gates to be built, which were done in the year of our Lord fourteen hundred and two"

A residence for governors, sultans, caliphs, emperors and kings

A typical Andalusian patio

The punctum, as usual, is the fountain

Staircase leading to the Cuarto Real Alto the upper royal apartments which today are the official residence of King and Queen of Spain in Seville

Decorative motifs and tilework

A recreation of Paradise - the Patio de las Doncellas

When folded open, doors like these have a decorative function, their designs reminding one of tapestries or carpets

Arch ornaments and carvings

The Salon de los Tapices - a Baroque room adorned with a number of tapestries from the Conquest of Tunis series

Wooden eaves decorated with stalactite-work typical of Toledo overhang the Mudejar Palace facade

"They never hear any nonsense therein, nor sinful utterances. Only the utterance 'Peace, peace'. Those of the right side will be on the right side. In lush orchards. Fragrant fruits. Extended shade. Abundant water. Many fruits. Never ending, never forbidden" - from The Koran

Tilework dado

Most of the doors in the Mudejar Palace were designed by master builders from Toledo

"Those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein forever" - from The Koran

The walled palace originally built by the Abbadids is the oldest palace of the Castilian king. King Pedro I built new additions and remodeled other parts with exuberant Mudejar décor

Seville's mythical origins are celebrated in a popular verse:

"Raised by Hercules, Julius Caesar fortified me, with high walls and towers,
I was conquered for the king of heaven by Garcí Pérez de Vargas"

A metal detail

An atmosphere enlivened by the murmuring of the fountain

The Jardin de las Flores pond is decorated with 16th century tiles and typically Mannerist-style seashells

The Hornacina de Carlos V niche dominates the courtyard

This courtyard called The Patio de las Doncellas (courtyard of the maidens) was the centre of the public area in the palace. According to numerous legends, its name commemorates the payment of a tribute of a hundred damsels

The main courtyard is surrounded by arches and sebka panel or diamond-pattern decoration. The shell (symbol of fertility and life), the hand of Fatima (synonymous with protection) and other figurative forms of doves and monkeys are constantly repeated

Beautifully carved and painted wooden door

Old style purity

Stairway adorned with glazed ceramic tiles

Getting a glimpse of a cool and shady world - Jardin de Troya

Beauty and symmetry

Artistic treasures

The Italian-Manneristic style "Jardin de las Damas" was created during a period when the concept of the garden changed from the Muslim idea of the garden to a large open space in which courtiers could promenade

Galeria del Grutesco: In the early 17th century, an Italian artist transformed the old Muslim wall into a loggia of fanciful forms from which visitors could admire the view of the palace gardens. It is open on both sides with columns of white and red marble possibly dating from the caliphal period