Having made my first visit to the
Alhambra (in Granada) in 2013 I decided that I really must visit the Royal Alcazar in Seville. Another palace with Arabic roots. And some say it is more beautiful than the
Alhambra. Difficult decision.
The Alcazar is like a maze built
around a central courtyard, the first room you enter being the Hall of Justice
with a small marble basin and trickle jet in the centre, the water flowing out
towards a pool in the courtyard.
The Moors perfected the means of
keeping cool before the age of air conditioning. Lots of fountains and running water plus
shady galleries, open windows and doorways allowing breezes to waft through.
One of the more well known pools is
in the Patio of the Virgins and is surrounded by gardens and wonderful Moorish
arches and pillars. Those who know the
Alhambra will recognise this patio as, apparently, the in Granada was inspired
by this one is Seville.
Another patio surrounded with
glorious lacy looking Moorish arches is the Plaster Patio. The Moors definitely had a way with plaster
and tiles. The Salon de los Embajadores
(Ambassadors) has a dome that is decorated with gilded wood, the horse shoe
arches, tiles and pretty plasterwork.
The gardens of course are really
splendid and have a fair share of pools and fountains. In one fountain and small pool a pair of
mallards were having a very splashy time.
One of my favourites is the Pool of Mercury with the winged messenger on
a small plinth and surrounded by cherubs - and an occasional duck.
In front of a small temple topped
with a blue and white tiles dome is the Lion's Pool. The statue of the lion being based on the
Muslim one in their decorative art.
Other gardens include a Grotto and
the Flower Garden, Troy's Garden, Lady Mary of Padilla's Baths and Grotto, Pool
and the Sultana's Grotto, the Poet's Garden and more that I haven't
mentioned.
Whether you visit the Royal Alcazar
first or the Cathedral, you'll really enjoy the experiences.
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| Take a rest on this beautiful tiled seat. |
