Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop's Palace), Seville

The Archbishop’s Palace stands beside Seville Cathedral in Square of the Virgin of the Kings, forming part of one of the city’s most historic spaces. The building has served for centuries as the residence of Seville’s bishops and archbishops, as well as an administrative centre of the archdiocese.

The origins of the palace date back to the period following the Christian reconquest of Seville in 1248, when church authorities established their headquarters near the newly consecrated cathedral. The complex expanded over the following centuries and underwent several reconstructions, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries when Seville flourished as Spain’s principal trading port with the Americas. The building visible today largely reflects 18th-century Spanish Baroque renovations. Its richly decorated red façade and ornate entrance portal make it one of the most colourful historic buildings in the city. In recognition of its cultural importance, the palace was declared a National Monument in 1969.

Inside, the palace preserves an important artistic heritage. Its halls, staircases, and courtyards display paintings and sculptures from the Seville Baroque period, forming one of the city’s most notable collections of religious art—surpassed only by those of the Museum of Fine Arts and Seville Cathedral. Works by painters such as Francisco de Zurbarán, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and Francisco Pacheco are displayed alongside pieces from Italian and Dutch Baroque schools.

After many years of restricted access, visitors can now explore parts of the palace, though all visits must be guided. Standing outside in the square, tourists can also admire the striking contrast between the palace’s vibrant Baroque façade and the massive Gothic walls of the nearby cathedral.