Moorish Majesty: Unveiling the Royal Alcázar of Seville

Royal Alcázar's entrance boasts a view of lush gardens

Steeped in history, the Alcázar (or Reales Alcázares de Sevilla ⭐⭐in Spanish) is a royal palace dating back to Moorish rule in the 8th century. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, it's considered one of the most stunning examples of mudéjar art – a unique blend of Islamic and Christian styles. Even today, the Alcázar remains the oldest royal palace still in use, welcoming dignitaries and heads of state.

Mudéjar Art 

The Alcázar's story begins in 712, with the Moorish conquest of Seville. Over time, a simple structure grew into a grand palace. However, by the 13th century, the Christian Reconquista reclaimed the area for Spain. The Catholic Monarchs then incorporated Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque elements into the existing Islamic architecture, creating the stunning Mudéjar style we see today.

Photo Gallery

During my 3-day trip to Seville on the December 27th of 2019, I visited the Royal Alcázar of Seville.  An initial long queue daunted me, so I opted for a local guided tour. This turned out to be a great decision! The tour group bypassed the long line, and while it was still crowded inside the palace, it was a much smoother experience.

A mesmerizing reflection captures the beauty of the Royal Bathroom at the Seville Alcázar

Most mosques feature a dome, called qubba in Arabic. The dome is a symbolic representation of the vault of heaven. The interior decoration of a dome often emphasizes this symbolism using patterns to awe and inspire.^[5]

Royal Alcázar’s ceiling patterns showcase Mudéjar art’s artistic and mathematical brilliance

Islamic art highlights geometry, employing ratios and tessellations—fitting shapes together without gaps or overlaps—to create a harmonious and perfect aesthetic

Leonor de Guzmán, reputedly the most beautiful woman in Spain

Exit with the Bell Tower (La Giralda) of Cathedral in the background

References

1. Alcázar of Seville
2. The History Of The Alcázar Of Seville In 1 Minute
3. Real Alcázar
4. NATURANDA—Guided tours and excursions in Andalusia, Spain and Morocco
5. 24 dome interiors in mosques across the world

Plaza de España, Seville: A Must-Visit in Andalusia

Andalusia Travel―Visiting Plaza de España (YouTube link)

Seville's famous Plaza de España ⭐⭐monument was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929, which was held in the Andalusian capital. Located in María Luisa Park, it was the centerpiece of the exhibition and featured many pavilions, which aspired to show off to the world Spain's accomplishments in industry and architecture.

Plaza de España is a must-see for anyone traveling to Seville. It is a truly unique and beautiful place that everyone should experience at least once.

Plaza de España is a stunning example of Regionalist architecture, which blends elements of Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival, and Neo-Mudéjar styles. The semi-circular plaza is surrounded by a canal and bridges, which represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. The buildings along the perimeter of the plaza house government offices and museums.

Photo Gallery

Beautiful Sunny Day in 2019: Photos from December 26, 2019.

Plaza de España

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride through Seville (YouTube link)

References

1. NATURANDA—Guided tours and excursions in Andalusia, Spain and Morocco

Beyond Tapas: A Journey to Spain's Iberian Ham Paradise

Why Spanish Iberian Ham Is The World's Most Expensive Cured Meat (YouTube link)

Triana Market (Seville, Spain)

Breakfast Buffet

If you truly desire to experience Spanish Iberian ham, visiting the hotel's breakfast buffet presents one option. I've visited the buffet on two occasions, both of which offered jamón: 

• Breakfast Buffet at Halo Boutique Hotel Sevilla (Seville, Spain)
• Breakfast Buffet at Only You Hotel Atocha (Madrid, Spain)
• The jamón served here has very good quality. 

Breakfast Buffet at Halo Boutique Hotel Sevilla (Seville, Spain)

Breakfast Buffet at Only You Hotel Atocha (Madrid, Spain)

Tapas Restaurant

The second option involves visiting a tapas restaurant. The one I visited in Barcelona served terrific tapas featuring jamón. Read my travel article below:

• Eat, Swim, Explore: Your Perfect Day in Barcelona's La Barceloneta

El Pintxo de La Barceloneta (Barcelona, Spain)

Discovering Seville's Enchanting Waterway Canal de Alfonso XIII

The canal is alive―full of activities

Seville's popularity can be largely attributed to its history — much of which revolves around the immense river that runs through the heart of the city.

The Guadalquivir River ⭐(or casually, the "rio") was once the artery for all trade traffic in and out of the Andalusian capital. The river's access to the Atlantic was also crucial for New World exploration. Today, the Guadalquivir is not only a charming part of the city's aesthetic, but many portions of the river bank also act as venues for nightlife, dining and sunbathing.

Seville's Riverfront Delights: A Stroll Along Guadalquivir

During my recent 3-day stay in Seville, I was captivated by the city's vibrant energy and rich cultural heritage. Among my many explorations, a leisurely stroll along the Guadalquivir Riverbank proved to be a particularly delightful experience. The picturesque riverside promenade, nestled between the historic Puente de Isabel II and Puente de San Telmo, offered a serene escape from the bustling city center.

As I ambled along the riverbank, I was struck by its tranquil beauty. The gentle currents of the Guadalquivir flowed serenely beneath the shade of towering trees, while the occasional rowboat glided gracefully across its surface. The cityscape provided a stunning backdrop, with the iconic Giralda tower and the majestic Seville Cathedral rising majestically in the distance.

Amidst the tranquility, I couldn't resist the allure of the nearby Mercado de Triana, a bustling marketplace brimming with fresh produce and local delicacies. The vibrant colors and tantalizing aromas of the market awakened my senses, and I eagerly ventured inside to explore its culinary treasures.

Puente de Isabel II

Torre del Oro (or "Tower of Gold")

Guadalquivir River Cruise

One of the upscaled restaurants facing Torre del Oro

References

1. Best Things To Do in Seville
2. Dársena del Guadalquivir
3. Torre del Oro (Wikipedia)
4. Alfonso XIII of Spain (Wikipedia)

Seville's Cathedral: A Gothic Masterpiece

Dominating the center of Seville is the city’s giant Gothic cathedral – the largest of its kind on the planet. As is so often the case in southern Spain, this magnificent tribute to Catholic dominion was built on the site of the city’s former mosque. Perhaps more famously though, Seville’s cathedral also contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus – the Spanish explorer whose discovery of the New World in 1492 was so crucial to Seville’s economic success in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The construction of the Seville Cathedral ⭐⭐, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, was a long and arduous undertaking, spanning over a century. It was finally completed in 1507, some 106 years after the original plans were drawn up.

The Seville Cathedral is a must-see for any visitor to the city. It is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and a testament to the city's rich history and culture.

Andalusia Travel―Visiting Seville Cathedral on 12/26/2019 (YouTube link)

Photo Gallery

On December 26, 2019 (a beautiful sunny day with a temperature around 21 °C), I visited the Seville Cathedral in Seville, Spain. The photos below were taken during that trip.

Seville cathedral´s famous bell tower

Puerta del principe (door of the prince)

Main Altarpiece of the Seville Cathedral

View of Seville from La Giralda

Caricature artist at Catedral de Sevilla, Spain (12/25/2019; YouTube link)

References

1. Christopher Columbus (Wikipedia)
2. Seville Cathedral (Wikipedia)
3. A Brief History of Seville Cathedral