Alcazar of Seville (Andalusia, Spain): history, description, opening hours

Traveling in Spain, it is impossible not to visit the capital of Andalusia - the oldest city of Seville.

Seville is located on both banks of the majestic Guadalquivir River. This is a peculiar, very beautiful city, where the most exciting bullfight takes place and where you can hear and see the most passionate flamenco. The city enchants with its medieval narrow streets, houses with snow-white walls and indispensable patios.

Sevilla's image was influenced by its history: during its existence for almost two and a half thousand years it belonged to Iberians, Romans, Goths, Arabs, until in the 13th century it became the arm of the Spanish kings.

Each time, being attacked by different conquerors, the city of Seville was influenced by their culture, which affected the architecture of its structures. Seville has the charm of antiquity.

A pearl among the sights of this city is the palace complex of the Alcazar of Seville. It is the true cultural value of Spain.

Historical facts

From history it is known that initially it was a fort of the Moors - a fortress that was created to protect against the siege of enemies. The building was constantly reconstructed in order to improve and more and more expanded. It is known that the structure was called Al-Muvarrak.

Until now, the exterior of the palace has been preserved, which was created on the ruins of an Arab fortress for King Pedro the First Cruel in 1364. The king liked the style of Moorish buildings, so the Alcázar of Seville keeps traces of this style.

Since then, this palace (more precisely, a complex of palaces, as the subsequent rulers expanded and supplemented the layout and architecture of the structure) was the seat of the Spanish kings for 700 years. And to this day some of its halls are used for solemn receptions.

Features of buildings

In the guise of the Alcázar, Gothic architecture is combined with Mudejar architecture. It fascinates the eye of a tourist who examines the amazing beauty of the palace rooms.
For the construction of the Alcazar in Seville, King Pedro the First ordered to remove the remains of the ruins of Arab buildings from Granada and Toledo, as well as captured Muslims who created this miracle of architecture. Subsequent rulers made buildings, but not so grandiose: Queen Isabella the First and King Charles the Fifth erected new structures.

The Alcázar of Seville, which is a complex architectural ensemble, surprises with a combination of harmony and integrity with especial refinement of arabesques.
The patio, chambers and even gardens of the palace keep a memory of the events of the history that took place in the country, and of the people involved in these events.

The palace of the Spanish kings Alcazar is located in the center of Seville on the Place Triunfo. The Alcázar is smaller than the Alhambra complex in Granada, but the decoration of its walls, ceilings and floors is recognized as a masterpiece of beauty and sophistication. To inspect all the halls, chambers, patios and extensive gardens, a tourist needs to devote to this whole day.

How to start an examination of the Alcázar?

For those who wish to penetrate the history of the city of Seville, the Royal Alcázar is a real find. Tourists can enter the palace through the Lion Gate (Puerta del Leon). They are not difficult to see, because the walls of the gate are painted in bright red color, and above there is a coat of arms with a lion. First, tourists enter the Patio del Leon, then turn right to the Justice Hall (Sala del Justisia). It will be followed by the Gypsum Patio (Patio del Yeso). This is a long room, which is a garden, rectangular in shape. It houses flower beds, as well as the remains of the buildings of the ancient fortress, which was built under the ruler of the Arab dynasty Almohad.

The next object of the inspection will be the Hunting Patio (Patio del Monteria). Here in the olden days it was going to be known - the retinue of the king, to accompany him on a hunt.
The facade of the palace of King Pedro the First (Palasio Don Pedro), facing the courtyard, is a model of the Arab architectural style of Mudejar and, without a doubt, is recognized as a masterpiece. This facade was erected by the best Moorish artisans from Granada, whom Governor Mohammed V presented to King Pedro the First as a token of respect and gratitude for military assistance. If you look closely at the decorated walls with the inscriptions, you can see not only the name of the architect and the year of the erection of the facade, but also the engraving in Arabic on the entrance arch "There is not a single winner except Allah."

The Hall of Ambassadors (Salon del Embajadores)

It was the throne room of King Pedro the First. It impresses with the decoration of the walls. The lower panel is decorated with tiles of amazing beauty, which is created by ornaments that converge in various geometric shapes, curls and drawings. The decoration of the walls above the panel is a stucco decoration with patterns and inscriptions in Arabic with a predominance of gold and red. The ceiling of the hall is made of wood with a skillfully executed starry sky - the symbol of the universe.

Hall of the maid of honor (Patio de las Donselleas)

This courtyard was the most famous and popular in the palace. Its architecture is elegant and as if airy. Very fine thin columns, skilful carving arcades, in the center is a fountain. From the top tier one could observe how receptions or meetings take place.

The most exquisite is the Puppet Court (Patio de las Munecas). Here were the living rooms of the royal family. It is called so because of the image of two small dolls on one of the arches. Tourists visiting bedrooms of kings and princes.

Next to the palace of Pedro the First are the chambers of King Charles V. They attract attention with their tapestries and tiles. In architecture, the Gothic style dominates.

In the Alcázar there are places associated with the history of the reconquest, with the colonial era of the country, with the development of new sea routes. Tourists visiting the Admiral's Rooms. Once in them Queen Isabella of Castile signed a decree establishing the Casa de Contratasion, in charge of trade relations with the New World.

Audience Hall. In it, kings arranged meetings with seafarers and explorers of overseas territories, among them could be Christopher Columbus and Fernand Magellan. In this hall the tourists are amazed by the ceiling with picturesque paintings and gilding, as well as walls with the coats of arms of all admirals of Spain.

Next to this hall there is a chapel, in which is placed a remarkable painting "The Patroness of the Sea". The painting depicts the Madonna, who covers the sailors with her veil. It is easy to see the canvases of Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci.

Gardens of Alcázar

Special attention deserves the gardens of the Alcázar, they are located terraces. They reign peace, silence and tranquility, which contributes to rest and leisurely meditations.

This beautiful park is divided into separate gardens, each under its own name: the Garden of Mercury, the Great Garden, the Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclane, the Garden of the Cross, the Garden of Troy, the Orange grove, the Garden of Flowers, the Garden of Poets, the Labyrinth,
These gardens were created in ancient times by the Arabs, and then changed over time. Now they can distinguish between different styles - Moorish, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance. Unusually beautiful is one of the many arbors called "King's Arbor". The underground swimming pool attracts tourists' attention.

In the gardens there are many kinds of plants, about 170. Some of them were brought from other countries and therefore are considered exotic for these places. In the gardens everything is fascinating: fountains, beautiful ponds, lots of sculptures and air saturated with the scent of flowers and trees. Peacocks walk along the lawns.

The Alcazar of Seville for a long time leaves in memory the luxury and elegance of the chambers and the sense of the fragrance of the magnificent gardens.

Mysterious Seville

Tour to Spain from St. Petersburg costs about 70 000 rubles. The price includes accommodation, flight and even several excursions. But even if the tour does not involve a visit to Seville, you should definitely go there yourself. Do not forget that the legends associated with Seville are related to everyone who does not neglect reading books. For example, local residents will show you the university building and tell you that once it housed a tobacco factory on which the beautiful Carmen worked, sung by Prosper Merimee. And on the banks of the Guadalquivir is still the palace of Signor Miguel de Maniero, who is considered the prototype of the most famous lover in the world - Don Juan.

Traveler's booklet

A reminder for those who come to Sevilla without a tour: the Alcazar Palace in Seville is located at Patio Banderas, s / n 41004, Sevilla, Espana.

Visit the complex of palaces Alcazar can:

In the period from October to March - from 9:30 to 18:00.
In the period from April to September - from 9:39 to 20:00.
Exit - one hour before the end of the working day of the Alcazar Palace (Seville). The opening hours of the complex allow you to visit it practically without any restrictions in time.

How to get there?

If you want to get to the Alcazar from the railway station, then you need to go to Avenida Kansas street, take bus number 28, get off at the last stop and get on foot to Alcazar.

A more simple option is to book a tour to Spain from SPB, which includes a visit to the Alcázar.