The Alcázar of Seville is a royal palace in the city of Seville (Andalusia, Spain). It was originally a fort of the Moors, expanded several times.
The first palace was built by the Almohad dynasty. Most of the modern complex was built on the ruins of an Arab fortress by King Pedro I of Castile, the beginning of construction dates back to 1364.
The palace is one of the best surviving examples of Mudéjar architecture. Gothic elements added later (during the reign of Charles V) contrast with the dominant Islamic style. The intricate floors, ceilings and walls are works of art, reaching their greatest heights of elegance and luxury in the room of Charles V and in the Ambassadors’ Hall (Salón de Embajadores). The Maiden’s Patio (Patio de las Doncellas) is known for its friezes, tiles and stucco. The overall feeling of an elegant summer retreat is complemented by beautifully manicured gardens with fragrant roses and orange trees along the avenues.
For almost 700 years it was the palace of the Spanish kings. The upper chambers of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as the official residence in Seville.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia