Sevilla. The Royal Alcázar and its Gardens

Did you know that the Royal Alcázar of Seville is the oldest operating royal palace in Europe?

From the Muslim era to the present day, it has been the seat of rulers, a place of political decisions, court life, celebrations, intrigues and great historical events.

The Alcazar is one of the most beautiful places in Seville. And that's no exaggeration. This is not just a palace, but a whole architectural world in which different cultures, eras and artistic traditions intertwine.

The first fortified palace on this site appeared in the X century, in 913, by order of Abd ar-Rahman III of the Umayyad dynasty. Later, Muslim rulers rebuilt and decorated the Alcazar, adapting it to their life, taste and idea of power.

Palaces in the Arab tradition always beckon with their mystery. There is nothing accidental here: light, water, shadow, color, ornament, geometry and plant motifs create a special language. The palace speaks to us through forms and symbols. East is a delicate matter.

After the Christian conquest of Seville in the thirteenth century, Alcazar continued to change. New halls and palaces appeared on its territory, and the most striking decoration of the complex was the palace of King Pedro I, created in the style of Mudéjar. This is one of the most exquisite examples of how Muslim artistic traditions continued to live in Christian Spain.

Through the halls of the Alcázar passed kings, aristocrats, ambassadors, artists and poets. Here political decisions were born, treaties were concluded, intrigues were woven, decrees were adopted and history was created that influenced far beyond Seville.

The special charm of the Alcazar is its gardens. These are the oldest royal gardens in the city, and they have changed with the palace. In them you can see traces of Arabic, Renaissance and romantic taste: fountains, galleries, orange trees, palm trees, shadows, reflections and green corners where Seville becomes especially poetic.

Spanish poet Juan Ramón Jiménez wrote that in the spring paradise descends to Seville. In the gardens of the Alcazar, this feeling becomes almost literal.

Alcazar witnessed many events. Here royal receptions were held, legends were born, unions were formed and decisions were made related to major historical changes. One of the last highlights of the Spanish monarchy took place here in 1995, when the wedding of Infanta Helena de Bourbon, the sister of the current King of Spain Philip VI, was celebrated in Seville.

The Alcazar inspired not only historians and travelers, but also artists, writers and directors. In 1962, David Lin shot scenes for the film Lawrence of Arabia. Ridley Scott later chose the Alcazar as the palace of the Dorn Kingdom for the famous series Game of Thrones.

In 1987, the Royal Alcázar of Seville was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a recognition of its immense historical, artistic and cultural value.

On the tour we will pass without haste through the halls of the palace complex and its gardens. I will show you the most beautiful spaces of the Alcázar, explain the language of its architecture, ornaments and symbols, tell you about the kings, legends, cultural influences and events that made this palace one of the main treasures of Seville.

This is an excursion for those who want not just to see the Alcázar, but to feel its atmosphere: the coolness of the courtyards, the play of light on the carved walls, the sound of water in the fountains and the special magic for which this palace remains one of the most visited monuments in Spain.

Additional entrance tickets to the Alcazar are paid:

• adults - 15.50 €/person.
• children under 16 years of age free of charge