30 October 2022 - Seville part 2

Miles driven today = 0

Total Miles to date = 2,800

It's been lovely sitting outside the van for the last couple of evenings but it seems the local mosquito population has been equally delighted by our presence and we are both covered in bites as a result. So what with itchy feet and legs, some rather shouty people at the pizzeria, fireworks going off at Godknowswhat O'clock and an unforecast early morning rain shower, we didn't have the greatest night's sleep.  

Even given the extra hour from the clocks going forward, it was lunchtime before we ventured forth into Seville.  

We decided that we would spend a bit more time exploring the Parque de Maria Luisa as we only had time to quickly skip through there yesterday.

Some areas are more formally laid out.

At the far end are a series of buildings and pavillions housing galleries and museums.

This Banyan tree and its amazing root system had us both reminiscing our backpacking days in South East Asia.

We skirted back past the Plaza de Espana and on to the Alcazar in time for our 3 O'clock booked slot.

There has been a seat of power for the ruling classes of Seville on the site of the Alcazar since at least the time of the Romans.  It grew to huge proportions at the time of the Islamic rule and included a harem of 800 women under the rule of the ruthless al-Mu'tadid.  However what we see today is basically 3 different Palaces plus other attendant buildings and gardens dating predominantly from the 13th to 16th Centuries.  One with ornate Islamic design built for Peter 1, the Gothic Palace built for Alfonso X and the Palacio de Real Alto, which is still used by Spanish royalty whenever they are in town.

We entered via the Lion's Courtyard.  The arches here are the only significant part of the Islamic Palace which remain intact to this day.

The ceiling of the 14th Century Halls of Justice.

I neglected to make a note of what this room was called but it was another impressive ceiling nonetheless.

16th Century staircase leading to the Royal Quarters.

There as lots of exhibits of the various designs of tiles found throughout the palaces from simple symmetrical ones to ornate paintings.

The Poets' Courtyard.

This is the main Courtyard onto which the 3 palaces all face.

Frontage of Peter 1's Palace.

The Maiden's Courtyard.

Ornate interior design.

Peter 1's bed chamber.

Another beautiful courtyard.

Although Peter 1's rule was after the Christian re-conquest of Spain his Palace was built by Moorish craftsmen.  Hence the heavy Islamic influences throughout the Palace.

The Dolls' Courtyard.

The fabuously decorative Ambassadors' Hall.

Garden topiary and palms.

The Mercury Pond

Gothic Palace hallway.

Gothic tiling detail.

The Tapestry Hall.

Urn and garden beyond.

Gothic Palace Courtyard.

Garden pavilion and orange trees.

Palace Gardens.

Underground swimming baths.

As we exited the Alcazar the Cathedral opposite looked fantastic in the late afternoon light.

One last building, the Baroque Palacio de San Telmo, which is now the State Goverment seat.

Apart from the mosquitoes I have absolutely loved Seville and would recommend it to anybody for a long weekend break, especially at this time of year when it's still warm but not too ferociously hot.  Just make sure that you book up for the Alcazar and the Cathedral well in advance to avoid disappointment.

31 October 2022 - Andalucian Halloween