Alcázar of Seville
From Freepedia
Image:Sevilla2005Julio 004.jpg The Alcázar of Seville (Spanish "Reales Alcázares de Sevilla" or "Royal Alcázars of Seville) is a royal palace in Seville, Spain. Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcázar has been expanded several times. The Almohades were the first to build a palace, called Al-Muwarak, on the site. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for King Peter I of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction beginning in 1364. Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace giving it a distinctly Islamic design. The palace is one of the best remaining examples of mudéjar architecture, a style under Christian rule in Spain but using Islamic architectural influence. Subsequent monarchs have added their own additions to the Alcázar. Charles V's addition of gothic elements contrast with the dominant Islamic style.
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Sections of the Alcázar
Patio de las Doncellas
Image:Sevilla2005Julio 013.jpg The English name for this section is "The Courtyard of the Maidens." The name refers to the legend that the Moors demanded 100 virgins every year as tribute from Christian kingdoms in Spain. The story of the tribute may have been used as a myth to bolster the Reconquista movement, but it may have had some truth to it in the sexual abuse of Christian women by powerful Moors.[1]
The lower level of the Patio was built for Pedro I and includes inscriptions describing Pedro as a "sultan." Various lavish reception rooms are located on the sides of the Patio. In the center is a large, rectangular reflecting pool 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. However, soon after this restoration, the courtyard was temporarily paved with marble once again at the request of movie director Ridley Scott. Scott used the paved courtyard as the set for the court of the King of Jerusalem in his movie Kingdom of Heaven. The courtyard arrangement was converted once more after the movie's production.
Image:Sevilla reales alcázare innenhof.jpg The upper story of the Patio was an addition made by Charles V. The addition was designed by Luis de Vega in the style of the Italian Renaissance although he did include both Renaissance and mudéjar plaster work in the decorations. Construction of the addition began in 1540 and ended in 1572.
Other Sections
- Puerta del León
- Dormitorio de los Reyes Moros
- Salón de Embajadores, 1427 by Charles V
- Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla
- Patio de las Munecas
- Patio de la Monteria
