DESCRIPTION
The Real Alcázar (“Royal Fortress”) of Sevilla is the extraordinary product of a continual process of construction, destruction and adaption resulting out of the historical development, with all its attendant political, economic, social, cultural and artistic vicissitudes, which took place in one of the most important parts of southern España. A crossroads between Europe and Africa and meeting-point for the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, this land has been settled by a diversity of cultures and peoples, all of whom left their mark.” – The Real Alcázar of Sevilla
HISTORY
“The compound which makes up the Royal Alcazar of Seville was founded in the early Middle-Ages, when the ancient Roman city of Hispalis, the Spali of Gothic times, evolved to be re-named Ixbilia. According to the most trustworthy sources, it was at the beginning of the tenth century – in 913, to be specific – that the Caliph of Cordoba, Abdurrahman III an-Nasir, ordered new government premises, the Dar al-Imara, to be built on the southern flank of the city…In 1248-49, the territory was conquered by the Castilians, who gave it the role it still retains as a Royal Residence and as the city’s political hub. This was a historical moment, the crux of the cultural synthesis that has defined the city of Seville, when palaces rose up around the original foundations, like Alfonso the Tenth’s Gothic Palace, shaped by the new cultural framework that had taken hold of the city. In the middle of the fourteenth century, at a time when al-Andalus was already under the rule of the Crown of Castile, we see the re-appearance of old Mediterranean concepts, now dressed up in Arabic style, in the Mudéjar Palace of Pedro I.” https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/history/
REAL ALCÁZAR DE SEVILLA LECTURES NOTES
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE DESCRIPTION
There are three main structures in Sevilla: Real Alcazar, Catedral, and Archivos de los Indies. All three are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The following is the description of the sites by UNESCO.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/383
Together these three buildings form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. The cathedral and the Alcázar – dating from the Reconquest of 1248 to the 16th century and imbued with Moorish influences – are an exceptional testimony to the civilization of the Almohads as well as that of Christian Andalusia. The Giralda minaret is the masterpiece of Almohad architecture. It stands next to the cathedral with its five naves; the largest Gothic building in Europe, it houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The ancient Lonja, which became the Archivo de Indias, contains valuable documents from the archives of the colonies in the Americas.
Together the Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias as a series, form a remarkable monumental complex in the heart of Seville. They perfectly epitomize the Spanish “Golden Age”, incorporating vestiges of Islamic culture, centuries of ecclesiastical power, royal sovereignty and the trading power that Spain acquired through its colonies in the New World.
The original nucleus of the Alcázar was constructed in the 10th century as the palace of the Moslem governor, and is used even today as the Spanish royal family’s residence in this city, thereby retaining the same purpose for which it was originally intended: as a residence of monarchs and heads of state. Built and rebuilt from the early Middle Ages right up to our times, it consists of a group of palatial buildings and extensive gardens. The Alcázar embraces a rare compendium of cultures where areas of the original Almohad palace – such as the “Patio del Yeso” or the “Jardines del Crucero” – coexist with the Palacio de Pedro I representing Spanish Mudejar art, together with other constructions displaying every cultural style from the Renaissance to the Neoclassical.
Seville owes its importance during the 16th and 17th centuries to its designation as the capital of the Carrera de Indias (the Indies route: the Spanish trading monopoly with Latin America). It was the “Gateway to the Indies” and the only trading port with the Indies from 1503 until 1718.
End of UNESCO description.
REAL ALCAZAR DE SEVILLA
Although the Alcazar used to be an Islamic structure, what remains today is primarily Mudejar. The structure visited today was commissioned by Pedro I in 1364-1366. The Courtyard of the Maidens is one of the finest examples of Mudejar architecture in the world.
“The original nucleus of the Alcázar was constructed in the 10th century as the palace of the Moslem governor and is used even today as the Spanish royal family’s residence in this city, thereby retaining the same purpose for which it was originally intended: as a residence of monarchs and heads of state. Built and rebuilt from the early Middle Ages right up to our times, it consists of a group of palatial buildings and extensive gardens. The Alcázar embraces a rare compendium of cultures where areas of the original Almohad palace – such as the “Patio del Yeso” or the “Jardines del Crucero” – coexist with the Palacio de Pedro I representing Spanish Mudejar art, together with other constructions displaying every cultural style from the Renaissance to the Neoclassical.” (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/383)
“The most high and most noble and most powerful and most victorious Peter, King of Castille and León by the grace of God, ordered this fortress and these palaces and these facades built, which was done in the year one thousand four hundred and two.”
“The inscription surrounds a cartouche with another, Arabic inscription in white and blue tiles in the geometric Kufic style. Here a technique very common during the Mudéjar period and known as mirror writing was used: ‘And there is no victor bu Allah’, was written from right to left in blue and white and is repeated in the opposite direction.”
VIRGIN OF THE NAVIGATORS
In addition to the Islamic and Mudjar architectural wonders, the Alcazar is home to the 1536 painting The Virgin of the Navigators by Alejo Fernández. This painting is of particular importance because it is thought to be one of the earliest representations by Europeans of the Indigenous people of the Americas.
Learn more about The Virgin of the Navigators on the Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/xa6688040:spain-portugal-15th-16th-century/xa6688040:16th-century-spain/a/alejo-fernandez-virgin-of-the-navigators
Here, in a Christian palace, the walls are inscribed with unapologetically Muslim sayings: “None but Allah conquers” and “Happiness and prosperity are benefits of Allah, who nourishes all creatures.” The artisans added propaganda phrases, such as “Dedicated to the magnificent “Dedicated to the magnificent Sultan Pedro— thanks to God!”
Abu al-Baqa’ al-Rundi (d.1285),
Translated from Arabic by James T. Monroe
Little is known of Abu al-Baqa’ al-Rundi, a poet from Ronda who died in 1285. This poem was written in the hope of gaining aid from Muslims in North Africa to help battle Christian armies. Although the fall of Seville is its theme, the text was actually written in 1267, after the Nasrid ruler Muhammad ibn al-Ahmar surrendered several cities to Alfonso X. The poet refers to events in ancient Arabian and Persian history as well as to the capture of Seville in his attempt to inspire military support. (ORC)
Everything declines after reaching perfection, therefore let no man be beguiled by the sweetness of a pleasant life.
As you have observed, these are the decrees that are inconstant: he whom a single moment has made happy, has been harmed by many other moments
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
“History of Spain.” La Moncloa. https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/espana/historyandculture/history/Paginas/index.aspx
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
https://www.alcazarsevilla.org/en/
De los Santos Guerrero, Paloma. The Real Alcázar of Seville. Editorial Palacios y Museos, 2023.
Phillips, Jr, William D.; Rahn Phillips, Carla. A Concise History of Spain (Cambridge Concise Histories). Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Steves, Rick. Rick Steves Spain (Travel Guide). Avalon Travel, 2016.
EDITOR AND LAST UPDATE
John William Bailly 19 June 2023
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