Royal Alcazar of Seville

Artistic Introduction

The first palace is built during Abd al Rahman III´ s reign, in the X Century. It is known as Dar-al-Imara or Casa del Gobernador. It is rectangular and has a total surface of 120 by 18 meters. In the XI Century, Al- Mutamid enlarged it to the west. In the XII Century, the Almohads build the Patio del Yeso (Courtyard of the Plaster Cast). Alfonso X el Sabio orders to build his own palace in a Gothic Style, between the main rooms: The Salón de los Tapices (Hall of tapestries) decorated with beautiful tapestry from Brusels and the Salones de Carlos V (Carlos V´ s Halls). The Baths of Lady María Padilla, are located under this palace.

In the XIV Century, Pedro I el Cruel orders to build a Mudejar palace. He was who rebuilt parts of the Taifas´ Alcazar and transformed it into a united palace. He used a House- Courtyard structure, with a ground floor and only two rooms in the upper floor. He leaves the typical defensive elements of a castle.

The Patio de las Muñecas (Doll´s Courtyard), the Patio de las Doncellas (Maidens´ Courtyard) and in the junction of these two courtyards the Patio de los Embajadores (Ambassadors´ Courtyard) are important. The last one has a wonderful semi spherical dome with mirrors and gilded arabesques, and a marvellous decoration based on vegetables and ceramics elements. With the discovering of America during the XV Century, Seville becomes one of the most important ports in Europe. During this time the Cuarto del Almirante (Admiral´ s Room) is built in a Renaissance style assigned to Casa de Contratación, an organism created by the Catholics Kings. The arrived goods accelerated the construction of the High Palace.

The Royal Apartments comes from the XVI Century, with halls that were redecorated in the XVIII Century, and the Salon del Emperador (Emperor´ s hall), with glazed tiles from the XV Century and Flemish tapestry. Vermondo Resta builds the Hall and the Halt and redesigns the Patio de Montería (Courtyard of the Hunt), centralizing its activity in the redesigning of the gardens. The most splendid period of the Alcázar coincides with the XVIII Century. It is the period of the Borbón Dinasty, when the Armería Real (Royal place or building to put the arms away) and the Salón de Tapices (Hall of Tapestries) by the Dutch Van der Borchst, in a Classic style, were built. Carlos V celebrated his wedding with Isabel of Portugal here.

The bricklayers from Seville, Granada, Toledo and Córdoba scotched and drew coffered ceilings, sebkas, grutescos, tiles, carves, mocarabes.

The beauty of its fountains and gardens, arranged in terraces, are another factor that makes it so attractive. They represent the different styles of gardens that are developed in each period of time: a multitude of exotic plants, pavilions, fountains. The Jardines de Naranjal (Gardens of the Orange Grove), the Jardines del Príncipe (Gardens of the Prince), the Jardín del Grutesco (Grutesco´s Garden), the Jardín de los Poetas (Garden of the Poets), the Pabellón de China (China´ s Pavillion), the Jardín del Cenador (Garden of the Cenador) are relevant.

Royal Alcazar of Seville

Artistic Introduction

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