Alcázar of Seville
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| Alcázar of Seville | |
| Location | [[:]], Spain |
| Date | |
| Street Address | |
| Notes |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Sites | |
| Name | Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville |
| UNESCO State Party | Spain |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, vi |
| UNESCO Site ID | 383 |
| Year of Listing | 1987 |
| Building Details |
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Alcázar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville (Spanish "Alcázares Reales de Sevilla" or "Royal Alcazars of Seville") is a royal palace in Seville, Spain. Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcázar (from the Arabic القصر, al-qasr, meaning "palace"). The Almohades were the first to build a palace, which was called Al-Muwarak, on the site of the modern day Alcázar. The palace is one of the best remaining examples of mudéjar architecture. Subsequent monarchs have added their own additions to the Alcázar. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence and are administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.
Sections of the Alcázar
Patio de las Doncellas
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 Iberia. 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.
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.
Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla
The "Baths of Lady María de Padilla" are rainwater tanks beneath the Patio del Crucero. The tanks are named after María de Padilla, the mistress of Pedro the Cruel. Supposedly, Pedro fell for María and had her husband killed. María resisted his advances and poured boiling oil over her face to disfigure herself to stop Pedro's pursuit. She became a nun and moved to a convent afterwards. She is regarded as a symbol of purity in the culture of Seville.
La Casa de Contratación
The Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) lies off the la Monteria. It was built in 1503 by the Spanish Monarchs to regulate trade with the New World colonies. The Casa dealt with trade related legal disputes on trade with the Americas. The "Casa" includes a chapel where the Colombus met with Ferdinand and Isabella after his second voyage.
Other Sections
- Patio de las Muñecas
- Patio de la Monteria
- Puerta del León
- Dormitorio de los Reyes Moros
- Salón de Embajadores, 1427 by Charles V
Media
External links
- Ibn Khaldun. The Mediterranean in the 14th century: Rise and fall of Empires (Exhibition at the Alcázar)
- Images of the Alcázar in Seville - 105 images with good descriptions of the Alcázar and its history.
- Casa de la Contratación - in depth historical article.
- http://www.travelinginspain.com/sevilla/royal_palace.htm
- Pictures and videos of the Alcazar of Seville
- Beautiful & Informative Alcazar of Seville Video
bg:Алкасар де Севиля cs:Alcázar v Seville de:Alcázar (Sevilla) es:Reales Alcázares de Sevilla fr:Alcázar de Séville it:Alcázar di Siviglia nl:Koninklijk Paleis van Sevilla ja:アルカサル (セビリア) pt:Reales Alcázares de Sevilla ru:Севильский Алькасар fi:Sevillan Alcázar sv:Alcázar, Sevilla vi:Alcázar của Sevilla
