Alcázar de Seville

The afternoon’s final stop was the Real Alcázar, the oldest palace in Europe that’s still in use. The word “Alcázar” is derived from the Arabic “al-qasr”, (which is itself derived from the Latin “castrum”) and essentially means a stone fortified centre of power.

Part of the site was the location of a 10th century fortification built by the first Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus, the Umayyads. This was extended successively, by the Abbadids, and then the Almohads in the 12th century, who made Seville the capital of Al-Andulus and also built the huge grand mosque just to the north of the palace complex (now the catedral).

After the Reconquista reached Seville in 1248, the Catholic kings of Spain took over the Moorish complex and built their own palaces alongside and in many cases replacing the Almohad buildings, only a few traces of which remain.

First, King Alfonso X built a Gothic palace in the late 13th century, and Pedro I built a further complex of rooms and apartments in the 14th century, in part replacing some of the gothic buildings. Confusingly, Pedro’s palace was built in the Islamic style (typical of the Almohad era) from a couple of centuries earlier. Later rulers, including Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, added further Renaissance style extensions in the 16th century. Charles V married Isabella of Portugal in the Salón de los Embajadores in 1526. The upper levels are still used today by the Spanish royal family when in Seville.

The combined effect really is beautiful, and reminded me of several buildings in Marrakech - where the Umayyads and Almohads ruled!

Unfortunately the palace closed before I managed to visit the gardens which are said to be amazing - I might have to try and squeeze in a return visit just to see the gardens.Read more