DAY 3 - IN SEVILLE

The other main attraction in Seville is the Royal Alkazar Palace.  Built primarily in the 1300's during the so called "dark ages" the architecture of the Alkazar is anything but dark.  It marks one of history's architectural high points and was made a heritage site by UNESCO in 1987.  It was originally a fort built in 913 but has been expanded many times since.

The way to avoid the inevitable queue is to hire a local guide, he buys the tickets, charges a small fee and we all jump the queue.  He was quite good, he knew all there was to know although his English was sometimes a little hard to follow.  On balance a good idea.

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Entrance to the Alkazar through the Lion's Gate with the queue we avoided.
Inside the entrance
Patio de la Montería,the central courtyard

 
The Casa de la Contraction - founded by the Catholic Monarchs in 1503 to control trade with Spain's American colonies

The entrance to the Palacio de Don Pedro
Some of the intricate plasterwork
An amazing ceiling
A delicate decorated ceiling
The courtyard inside the Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the Maidens)

Close up of the intricate plasterwork
More plasterwork, coloured this time
 

The Salon des Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors).  The throne room of Pedros's Palace
The room's wooden dome of mulitple star patterns
Detail of the dome
In the gardens of the Alkazar




The hydraulic organ in the gardens.  Works once a day and we were lucky to be there at the right time


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