Spain - Sevilla, Real Alcázar

The Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville) was originally a Moorish fort. The palace is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Spain and is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, being used by King Juan Carlos when he visits Seville. The Real Alcazár was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

The Real Alcázar is built on the site of a Roman fort. The first Caliph of Andalusia ordered in the 10th century the construction of a castle, which later changed into a fortified palace. When Ferdinand III of Castile regained the city on the Moors in 1248, the Alcazar became the royal palace. Most of the present buildings were constructed after 1364, when King Pedro the Cruel commissioned the construction of a new palace
The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles in the mudejar style, but it has also islamic, gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical elements.

Picture(s): the Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the Maidens) is the main courtyard of the palace. This was the center of public life in the palace. The patio is named after the ladies (doncellas) who spent much of their time here.