Visit Alcazar of Seville
The Alcazar of Seville is a group of palaces and gardens that date back to the Moorish occupation of Spain. It is a beautiful example of Mudejar architecture and along with Seville Cathedral and the General Archives of the Indies is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the Real Alcazar of Seville
The Alcazar was initially a Moorish fortress and then in the 14th century King Peter of Castile converted it to a palace but continuing the exisiting Islamic architectural style.
The entrance is through the large Puerta del Leon and leads to the Patio del Leon and the large open courtyard of the Patio de la Monteria. Surrounding the Patio de la Monteria are the main buildings of the complex.
To the right is the Casa de la Contratcion which houses an exhibition of beautiful tiles from throughout the centuries. There are also some patio gardens to see. However the main building is the Palacio del Rey Don Pedro which faces you as you enter the Monteria courtyard.
In this building is the fabulous Patio de las Doncellas which is surrounded by beautifully decorated arches covered in tiles from the 16th century decorated in Mudejar style. There are lots of little rooms all covered in tiles and all very beautiful.
Patio de las Doncellas means "Courtyard of the Maidens" and apparently alludes to the 100 virgins demanded by the Moors every year as tribute from the Christian kingdoms of Iberia. In the centre of the courtyard is a pond with sunken gardens on each side.
The upper storey of the patio was added by Charles V in the 16th century and is a mix of Renaissance and Mudejar in style.
From the Patio de las Doncellas there is an arched doorway to the Salon de Embajadores. The arch contains inscriptions saying "only God is victorious" in Arabic. The walls are now hung with portraits of the kings of Castile.
The neighbouring Patio de las Munecas contains columns from the palace of Medina Azahara in Cordoba. Notice the female heads on top of the columns.
The gardens of the Alcazar are a highlight of the visit. They are stunning with their palm trees, fruit trees, clipped hedges and ponds, rills and fountains but above all the Galeria de Grutescos is magnificent. This is a Muslim wall transformed into an Italian loggia by Italian designer Vermondo Resta. From here you get a wonderful view over the formally laid out gardens and over the palace and ponds.
Game of Thrones
Various locations in Spain feature in Game of Thrones. The Alcazar of Seville and its water gardens feature as the town of Sunspear capital of Dorne, the most southerly of the seven kingdoms of Westeross. Visitors to the Alcazar were notably more during our recent visit to Seville and now you need to arrive early or prebook tickets to avoid a queue.
Other filming has taken place at the Alcazar including Ridley Scott's film "the Kingdom of Heaven" where the Patio de las Doncellas was the location for the court of Jerusalem, allbeit paved with marble rather than with its pool and garden.
Places to visit nearby
Of course there are many more sights to see in Seville including the cathedral, the Giralda tower, the Santa Cruz district, the El-Arenal district and the Plaza de Espana.
Cordoba and Osuna are both beautiful town which can be visited in a day or overnight trip from Seville. Cordoba is home to the fabulous Mesquita and Osuna contains many fine Baroque buildings. Both are also Game of Thrones locations.
Ronda is a magical location which is well worth an overnight trip from Seville.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Seville guide and the Andalucia guide.
Map of Alcazar of Seville and places to visit
Alcazar of Seville places to visit
Seville - Giralda
The Giralda tower is Seville's iconic bell tower with great views from the top. It is a huge ramp to the top rather than steps and so relatively easy to climb.
Seville - Giralda guide
Seville Bullring
Seville bullring is a beautiful building and one of the oldest bullrings in the world.
Seville Bullring guide
Seville- El Arenal
Riverside district of Seville and home to Seville's bullring. This is a quieter part of Seville and nice for a riverside walk.
Seville- El Arenal guide
Casa de Pilatos
The Casa de Pilatos is a 16th century palace and gardens in Seville. It is Moorish in style and has two courtyard gardens.
Casa de Pilatos guide
Seville - More Places to Visit
More places to visit in the fabulous town of Seville. Seville is packed with places worth visiting.
Seville - More Places to Visit guide
Seville Cathedral
Seville is home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The cathedral is well worth visiting.
Seville Cathedral guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Andalucia