Real Alcazar de Sevilla (Royal Palace of Seville), Seville (must see)

The Royal Palace of Seville is one of the city’s most important historical monuments and a rare example of a palace that has remained in continuous use for more than a thousand years. Its story begins in 712, when Seville was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate, ushering in nearly seven centuries of Arab rule in Andalusia. In 913, Abd al-Rahman III ordered the construction of a fort on this site, built over a former Visigothic church. This early complex was expanded in the 11th century with an addition known as Al Mubarak, meaning “The Blessed,” as Seville grew into a major political centre of Muslim Spain .

Over time, the palace underwent repeated cycles of demolition and rebuilding. By the later medieval period, as many as twelve palaces had been constructed one atop another, each reflecting the tastes and priorities of its rulers. Its most decisive transformation came in the 14th century, when King Pedro I commissioned the Mudéjar Palace, blending Islamic craftsmanship with Christian symbolism. Muslim artisans created interiors rich in carved stucco, wooden ceilings, Arabic inscriptions, and an extraordinary abundance of ceramic tiles—majolica and arista—so characteristic of Seville.

The main entrance, the Lion Gate, takes its name from the tiled panel above the doorway showing a lion holding a cross beneath a Latin motto meaning “ready for anything.” Once you pass through security, you enter the Lion Courtyard. To your left is the Justice Hall, known for its remarkable Mudéjar plasterwork and square floor plan. While in the Lion Courtyard, continue straight ahead to reach the Hunting Courtyard. From there, head toward the richly decorated main façade of the palace and enter through the central doorway. After passing through several corridors, you arrive at one of the most famous spaces in the complex—the Courtyard of the Maidens. Here you will see a long reflecting pool surrounded by sunken gardens and a gallery of intricate multifoil arches. The delicate, lace-like stucco decoration is a masterpiece of the Mudéjar style.

Another highlight is the Hall of Ambassadors, once the throne room. Looking up, visitors see the spectacular gilded wooden dome from 1427, often described as a half-orange dome because of its segmented shape. The walls are covered in vibrant ceramic tiles and portraits of Spanish monarchs, making it one of the most lavish rooms in the entire palace. To reach it, stand in the Courtyard of the Maidens and look for the most richly decorated triple-arched entrance along the side of the courtyard.

The gardens are equally essential to the experience. Like many Andalusian palaces, the complex was designed with gardens combining fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, and abundant water in fountains and ponds. Expanded and reshaped over the centuries, they now include more than a dozen gardens, creating a peaceful landscape that contrasts with the ornate palace interiors.