The Royal Alcázars of Seville ( es, Reales Alcázares de Sevilla), historically known as al-Qasr al-Muriq (, ''The Verdant Palace'') and commonly known as the Alcázar of Seville (), is a royal palace in

Seville Seville (; es, Sevilla, ) is the capital and largest city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia and the province of Seville. It is situated on the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula ...

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

, built for the Christian king

Peter of Castile Peter ( es, Pedro; 30 August 133423 March 1369), called the Cruel () or the Just (), was King of Castile and León from 1350 to 1369. Peter was the last ruler of the main branch of the House of Ivrea. He was excommunicated by Pope Urban V for ...

. It was built by Castilian Christians on the site of an

Abbadid The Abbadid dynasty or Abbadids ( ar, بنو عباد, Banū ʿAbbādi) was an Arab Muslim dynasty which arose in al-Andalus on the downfall of the Caliphate of Cordoba (756–1031). After the collapse, there were multiple small Muslim states ca ...

Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...

'' alcazar'', or residential fortress. The fortress was destroyed after the Christian conquest of Seville in 1248. The palace is a preeminent example of

Mudéjar style Mudéjar ( , also , , ca, mudèjar , ; from ar, مدجن, mudajjan, subjugated; tamed; domesticated) refers to the group of Muslims who remained in Iberia in the late medieval period despite the Christian reconquest. It is also a term for M ...

in the

Iberian Peninsula The Iberian Peninsula (), ** * Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica'' ** ** * french: Péninsule Ibérique * mwl, Península Eibérica * eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, defi ...

, combining Romanesque,

Gothic Gothic or Gothics may refer to: People and languages *Goths or Gothic people, the ethnonym of a group of East Germanic tribes **Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths **Crimean Gothic, the Gothic language spoken b ...

, and

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass ideas ...

structural elements. The upper stories of the

Alcázar An alcázar, from Arabic ''al-Qasr'', is a type of Islamic castle or palace in the Iberian Peninsula (also known as al-Andalus) built during Muslim rule between the 8th and 15th centuries. They functioned as homes and regional capitals for gover ...

are still occupied by the royal family when they visit Seville and are administered by the

Patrimonio Nacional Patrimonio Nacional ( en, National Heritage) is a Spanish autonomous agency, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Presidency, that administers the sites owned by the Spanish State and used by the Monarch and the Spanish Royal F ...

. It was registered in 1987 by

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

as a

World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...

, along with the adjoining

Seville Cathedral The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See ( es, Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), better known as Seville Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along ...

and the

General Archive of the Indies The Archivo General de Indias (, "General Archive of the Indies"), housed in the ancient merchants' exchange of Seville, Spain, the ''Casa Lonja de Mercaderes'', is the repository of extremely valuable archival documents illustrating the history ...

Etymology

The term ''

'' comes from the Arabic ''al-qaṣr'', ("the castle" or "the palace", اَلْقَصْر), itself derived from the Latin ''castrum'' ("castle").

History

Islamic era

In the year 712, Seville was conquered by the

Umayyad Caliphate The Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE; , ; ar, ٱلْخِلَافَة ٱلْأُمَوِيَّة, al-Khilāfah al-ʾUmawīyah) was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. The caliphate was ruled by th ...

. In the year 913–914, after a revolt against Cordoba’s government, the first

caliph A caliphate or khilāfah ( ar, خِلَافَة, ) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph (; ar, خَلِيفَة , ), a person considered a political-religious successor to th ...

of Al-Andalus

Abd al-Rahman III ʿAbd al-Rahmān ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn al-Ḥakam al-Rabdī ibn Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Dākhil () or ʿAbd al-Rahmān III (890 - 961), was the Umayyad Emir of Córdoba from 912 to 92 ...

built a fortified construction in place of a

Visigoth The Visigoths (; la, Visigothi, Wisigothi, Vesi, Visi, Wesi, Wisi) were an early Germanic people who, along with the Ostrogoths, constituted the two major political entities of the Goths within the Roman Empire in late antiquity, or what is kno ...

ic Christian basilica. It was a quadrangular, roughly square enclosure about 100 meters long on each side, fortified with walls and rectangular towers, and annexed to the city walls. In the 11th century, during the ''

Taifas The ''taifas'' (singular ''taifa'', from ar, طائفة ''ṭā'ifa'', plural طوائف ''ṭawā'if'', a party, band or faction) were the independent Muslim principalities and kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula (modern Portugal and Spain), r ...

'' period, the

king

Al-Mu'tamid Abu’l-ʿAbbās Aḥmad ibn Jaʿfar ( ar, أبو العباس أحمد بن جعفر; – 14 October 892), better known by his regnal name Al-Muʿtamid ʿalā ’llāh (, "Dependent on God"), was the Caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate from 870 t ...

expanded the complex southwards and eastwards, with a new southern enclosure measuring approximately 70 by 80 meters. This new palace was called ''Al Mubarak'' (). Various additions to the construction such as stables and warehouses were also carried out. Towards 1150, the Almohad Caliphs began to develop Seville as their capital in Al-Andalus. The Almohad governor extended the fortified complex to the west, nearly doubling its size. At least six new courtyard palaces were constructed in the old enclosures and nine palaces were added in the western extensions. In 1163 the caliph

Abu Ya'qub Yusuf Abu Ya`qub Yusuf or Yusuf I ( ''Abū Ya‘qūb Yūsuf''; 1135 – 14 October 1184) was the second Almohad ''Amir'' or caliph. He reigned from 1163 until 1184 in Marrakesh. He was responsible for the construction of the Giralda in Seville, whic ...

made the Alcazar his main residence in the region. He further expanded and embellished the palace complex in 1169, adding six new enclosures to the north, south, and west sides of the existing palaces. The works were carried out by architects Ahmad ibn Baso and 'Ali al-Ghumari. With the exception of the walls, nearly all previous buildings were demolished, and a total of approximately twelve palaces were built. Among the new structures was a very large garden courtyard, now known as the ''Patio del Crucero'', which stood in the old Abbadid enclosure. Between 1171 and 1198 an enormous new congregational mosque was built on the north side of the Alcazar (later transformed in to the current

Cathedral of Seville The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See ( es, Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), better known as Seville Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along ...

). A shipyard was also built nearby in 1184 and a textiles market in 1196. There are few remnants of these Islamic-era constructions today. Archaeological remains of the Al Mubarak Palace are currently preserved under ''Patio de la Monteria''. Several wall painting fragments were found that are now exhibited in the ''Palacio del Yeso''. The courtyard buildings now known as the ''Palacio del Yeso'', the ''Palacio de la Contratación'', and the ''Patio del Crucero'' all preserve remains from the Almohad period.

Christian era

With the start of the Christian era in Seville, the Alcazar was converted into the residence of the Christian monarchs. Changes were made to the buildings to fit the needs of the monarchs and the court life. In the years 1364–1366, king Pedro I built the

Mudéjar Mudéjar ( , also , , ca, mudèjar , ; from ar, مدجن, mudajjan, subjugated; tamed; domesticated) refers to the group of Muslims who remained in Iberia in the late medieval period despite the Christian reconquest. It is also a term for ...

Palace, an example of the Andalusian Mudejar style. Under the Catholic rulers

Isabella Isabella may refer to: People and fictional characters * Isabella (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Isabella (surname), including a list of people Places United States * Isabella, Alabama, an unincorpor ...

and

Fernando Fernando is a Spanish and Portuguese given name and a surname common in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland, former Spanish or Portuguese colonies in Latin America, Africa, the Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka. It is equivalent to the G ...

, the upper floor was extended and transformed into the main residence of the monarchs. The palace was the birthplace of Infanta Maria Antonietta of Spain (1729–1785), daughter of

Philip V of Spain Philip V ( es, Felipe; 19 December 1683 – 9 July 1746) was King of Spain from 1 November 1700 to 14 January 1724, and again from 6 September 1724 to his death in 1746. His total reign of 45 years is the longest in the history of the Spanish mon ...

and

Elisabeth Farnese Elisabeth Farnese (Italian: ''Elisabetta Farnese'', Spanish: ''Isabel Farnesio''; 25 October 169211 July 1766) was Queen of Spain by marriage to King Philip V. She exerted great influence over Spain's foreign policy and was the ''de facto'' rule ...

, when the king was in the city to oversee the signing of the

Treaty of Seville (1729) The Treaty of Seville was signed on 9 November, 1729 between Britain, France, and Spain, formally ending the 1727–1729 Anglo-Spanish War; the Dutch Republic joined the Treaty on 29 November. However, the Treaty failed to resolve underlying te ...

which ended the

Anglo-Spanish War (1727) Anglo-Spanish War may refer to: * Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604), including the Spanish Armada and the English Armada * Anglo-Spanish War (1625–1630), part of the Thirty Years' War * Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660), part of the Franco-Spanish ...

The palace

The Real Alcázar is situated near the

and the

in one of

Andalusia Andalusia (, ; es, Andalucía ) is the southernmost Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community in Peninsular Spain. It is the most populous and the second-largest autonomous community in the country. It is officially recognised as a ...

's most emblematic areas. During the five hundred years of construction, various architectural styles succeeded one another. There are no remnants of the initial design, but the structure was probably refurbished with elements of Islamic ornamentation and patterns. Several major gardens were also built. With the start of the Spanish

Reconquista The ' (Spanish, Portuguese and Galician for "reconquest") is a historiographical construction describing the 781-year period in the history of the Iberian Peninsula between the Umayyad conquest of Hispania in 711 and the fall of the Nasrid ...

in the 13th century, the palace was remodeled with

and Romanesque elements. The 16th century saw major additions built in

style. Alongside these designs,

Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...

ic decoration and ornamentation was widely used. After damage by the

1755 Lisbon earthquake The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, impacted Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula, and Northwest Africa on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40 local time. In combination with ...

, that façade of the Palacio Gótico overlooking the Patio del Crucero was completely renovated using

Baroque The Baroque (, ; ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1750s. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including t ...

elements. The palace now presents a unique blend of styles.

Tiles

The palace is known for its tile decoration. The two tile types used are majolica and arista tiles. In the arista technique, the green body is stamped and each tile segment has raised ridges. This technique produces tiles with transparent glazes that are not flat. The art of majolica ceramics was developed later in the 15th–16th centuries. The innovation made it possible to "paint" directly on ceramics covered with white opaque glazes. Being a trade center, Seville had access to large scale production of these tiles. They were mainly of geometric design inspired by arabesque ornamentation. In the 16th century, the Catholic Monarchs commissioned an Italian artist from Pisa, Francisco Niculoso (called Pisano) to make two majolica tile altarpieces for their private chapel in the palace. One still exists in the oratory of the royal apartments, the other one is missing. Later, the artist Cristóbal de Augusta created a tile-work in the Palacio Gotico. It features animals, cherubs and floral designs and gives the palace a bright tapestry look. Puerta del León Alcazar Seville Spain

Puerta del León

The main entrance to the Alcázar takes its name from the 19th century tile-work inlaid above it, a crowned lion holding a cross in its claws and bearing a Gothic script.

Patio de las Doncellas

The name, meaning "The Courtyard of the Maidens", is a reference to the apocryphal story that the Moors demanded an annual tribute of 100 virgins from the Christian kingdoms of Iberia. The lower storey of the Patio was built for King

and contains inscriptions that refer to Peter as a "sultan". Several reception rooms are arranged around a long rectangular reflecting pool in the center with sunken gardens on either side. For many years, the courtyard was entirely paved in marble with a fountain in the center. However, historical evidence showed the gardens and the reflecting pool were the original design and this arrangement was restored. Soon after this restoration, the courtyard was temporarily paved with marble once again at the request of English film director

Ridley Scott Sir Ridley Scott (born 30 November 1937) is a British film director and producer. Directing, among others, science fiction films, his work is known for its atmospheric and highly concentrated visual style. Scott has received many accolades thr ...

. The paved courtyard was used as the set for the court of the

King of Jerusalem The King of Jerusalem was the supreme ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state founded in Jerusalem by the Latin Catholic leaders of the First Crusade, when the city was conquered in 1099. Godfrey of Bouillon, the first ruler of t ...

in Scott's movie ''

Kingdom of Heaven Kingdom of Heaven may refer to: Religious * Kingdom of Heaven (Gospel of Matthew) **Kingship and kingdom of God, or simply Kingdom of God, the phrase used in the other gospels * Kingdom of Heaven (Daviesite), a schismatic sect, founded by Will ...

''. The courtyard arrangement was converted once more after the film's production. The upper story of the Patio was an addition made by

Charles V Charles V may refer to: * Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (1500–1558) * Charles V of Naples (1661–1700), better known as Charles II of Spain * Charles V of France (1338–1380), called the Wise * Charles V, Duke of Lorraine (1643–1690) * Infan ...

. The addition was designed by

Luis de Vega Luis de Vega (? - Madrid, 1562) was a 16th-century Spanish architect appointed royal architect of Charles I. He renovated the old Alcazar of Madrid, the vanished royal residence,Sancho, J.L., 2014, Guide Palacio Real de Madrid, Madrid: Patrimonio ...

in the style of the

Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance ( it, Rinascimento ) was a period in Italian history covering the 15th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Europe and marked the trans ...

although he did include both Renaissance and mudéjar plaster work in the decorations. Construction of the addition began in 1540 and ended in 1572.

Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla

The "Baths of Lady María de Padilla" are rainwater tanks beneath the Patio del Crucero. The tanks are named after

María de Padilla María Díaz de Padilla ( 1334 –Seville, July 1361) was the mistress of King Peter of Castile. Family She was a Castilian noblewoman, daughter of Juan García de Padilla (died between 1348 and 1351) and his wife María de Henestrosa (d ...

, the mistress of Peter the Cruel.

Salon de Embajadores

The Ambassadors Hall is the ancient throne room built during the reign of

in the 11th century. In the 14th century,

Pedro I of Castile Peter ( es, Pedro; 30 August 133423 March 1369), called the Cruel () or the Just (), was King of Castile and León from 1350 to 1369. Peter was the last ruler of the main branch of the House of Ivrea. He was excommunicated by Pope Urban V for ...

remodeled the hall to make it a centerpiece of his royal palace. Plant motifs in plasterwork were added in the corners of the room and spandrels of the arches. Windows were traced with geometric elements. Walls were covered with tiled panels. The orientation of the hall was also changed from facing

Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...

to northeast. The doorway now led to the Patio of the Maidens (Patio de las Doncellas). In 1526, Emperor

Charles Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''*k ...

V and

Isabella of Portugal Isabella of Portugal (24 October 1503 – 1 May 1539) was the empress consort and queen consort of her cousin Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, and Duke of Burgundy. She was Queen of Spain and Germany, and La ...

celebrated their marriage in this room.

Other sections

*Patio de las Muñecas (''Courtyard of the Dolls'') *Patio de la Montería (''Courtyard of the Montería'') *Dormitorio de los Reyes Moros (''Bedroom of the Moorish Kings'') *Sala de Justicia (''Justice room'') *Patio del Yeso (''Courtyard of the Plaster'') *Cuarto del Almirante (''Admiral's Room'') *Casa de Contratación (''

Casa de Contratación The ''Casa de Contratación'' (, House of Trade) or ''Casa de la Contratación de las Indias'' ("House of Trade of the Indies") was established by the Crown of Castile, in 1503 in the port of Seville (and transferred to Cádiz in 1717) as a cr ...

'') *Patio del Crucero (''Courtyard of the Crossing'') *Palacio Mudéjar or de Pedro I (''Mudéjar Palace or that of Peter of Castile'') **Patio de las Muñecas (''Courtyard of the Dolls'') **Cuarto del Príncipe (''Prince's Room'') **Patio de las Doncellas (''Courtyard of the Maidens'') **Salón del Techo de Carlos V (''Charles V Ceiling Room'') **Salón de Embajadores (''Ambassadors' Room'') **Salón del Techo de Felipe II (''Philip II Ceiling Room'') **Primera planta (''First level of the Palace of Peter of Castile'') *Palacio Gótico (''Gothic Palace'') **Capilla (''Chapel'') **Gran Salón (''Big Room'') **Salón de los Tapices (''Tapestries' Room'') **Sala de las Bóvedas (''Vaults' Room'') *Upper floors belong to the

and are occupied by the royal family when visiting Seville. There are many security measures for visitors; admission is approximately 5 euros. **Vestíbulo or Saleta de la Reina Isabel la Católica (''Lobby or Queen Isabella the Catholic Monarch's Room'') **Anteortaorio de Isabel la Católica (''Pre-oratory of Isabella the Catholic Monarch'') **Oratorio de Isabel la Católica (''Oratory of Isabella the Catholic Monarch'') **Alcoba Real (''Royal Bedroom'') **Antecomedor (''Pre-dining Room'') **Comedor de Gala (''Gala Dining'') **Sala de fumar (''Smoking Room'') **Retrete del Rey (''King's Toilet'') **Antecomedor de familia, antiguo Cuarto del Rey (''Family Pre-dining Room, former King's Room'') **Comedor de Familia or Cuarto Nuevo (''Family Dining Room or New Room'') **Mirador de los Reyes Católicos (''Viewpoint of the Catholic Monarchs'') **Dormitorio del Rey Don Pedro, antiguo Cuarto de los Lagartos (''King Don Peter of Castile's Bedroom, former Lizards' Room'') **Despacho de Juan Carlos I (''Juan Carlos I's Office'') **Cámara de Audiencias (''Hearings' Chamber'') **Dormitorio de Isabel II (''Isabella II's Bedroom'') **Colección Carranza (a museum of old azulejos) *Gardens **Estanque de Mercurio (''Mercury Pond'') **Galería de Grutesco (''Grotesque Gallery'') **Jardín de la Danza (''Dance's Garden'') **Jardín de Troya (''Troy's Garden'') **Jardín de la Galera (''The Galley's Garden'') **Jardín de las Flores (''Flowers' Garden'') **Jardín del Príncipe (''Prince's Garden'') **Jardín de las Damas (''Ladies' Garden'') **Pabellón de Carlos V (''Charles V's Pavilion'') **Cenador del León (''Lion's Gloriette'') **Jardín Inglés (''English Garden'') **Jardín del Marqués de la Vega-Inclán (''Marquis of la Vega-Inclán's Garden'') **Jardín de los Poetas (''The Poets' Garden'') *Apeadero (''Mounting-block'') **Patio de Banderas (''Flags' Courtyard'') *Walls of the Alcázar

The gardens

All the palaces of Al Andalus had garden orchards with fruit trees, horticultural produce and a wide variety of fragrant flowers. The garden-orchards not only supplied food for the palace residents but had the aesthetic function of bringing pleasure. Water was ever present in the form of irrigation channels, runnels, jets, ponds and pools. The gardens adjoining the Alcázar of Seville have undergone many changes. In the 17th century during the reign of Philip III the Italian designer Vermondo Resta introduced the Italian Mannerist style. Resta was responsible for the Galeria de Grutesco (Grotto Gallery) transforming the old Muslim wall into a

loggia In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior gallery or corridor, usually on an upper level, but sometimes on the ground level of a building. The outer wall is open to the elements, usually supported by a series of columns ...

from which to admire the view of the palace gardens. File:Seville Alcázar Garden (131465921).jpeg, Gallery of the Grottoesque File:Jardin de los Poetas - Alcázar of Seville, Spain - DSC07519.JPG, Garden of the poets File:Sevilla - March 2011 - 053.jpg, The Pavilion of Charles V File:Alley alcazar Seville Andalusia Spain.jpg, Avenue File:Alcazars Palace, Seville - panoramio.jpg, The Portal of the Privilege

In popular culture

*In 1962 the Alcázar was used as a set for ''Lawrence of Arabia''. *The Patio de las Doncellas was used as the set for the court of the King of Jerusalem in the 2005 movie ''Kingdom of Heaven''. *Part of the fifth season of ''Game of Thrones'' was shot in several locations in the province of Seville, including the Alcázar.

References

External links

InFocus: Alcázar of Seville (Sevilla, Spain)
a
HitchHikers Handbook

– 105 images with good descriptions of the Alcázar and its history.
Casa de la Contratación
– in depth historical article.
El Real Alcázar de Sevilla (In Spanish, English and French)

UNESCO World Heritage

interiors and details pictures of Seville Alcazar
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcazar of Seville

Azulejos in buildings in Andalusia Buildings and structures completed in 914 Buildings and structures completed in the 11th century Buildings and structures completed in the 14th century Castles in Andalusia Gothic architecture in Andalusia Islamic gardens Spanish gardens Mudéjar architecture in Andalusia Mannerist architecture Palaces in Seville Royal residences in Spain World Heritage Sites in Spain