Seville - Day Three

I started the day with a visit to the Real or Royal Alcázar, originally a 10th century Moorish palace, which was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Christian king, Pedro 1, using Muslim artisans.The Alcázar has several sections with spectacularly decorated halls and courtyards in a distinctive Islamic style. The most important parts of the Alcázar consist of the Courtyard of the Hunt, which is the main entrance and one enters it through an elaborately decorated façade. From here one enters the Admiral's Hall, where Queen Isabel held audience with the likes of Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan, who recounted their voyages of discovery to her. In the hall is a model of Columbus's flagship, the "Santa María". The Alcázar, with its lovely tiles, elaborately carved wooden doors and ceilings and the wonderful geometric composition of its patios is a joy to amble around. The Moorish gardens with their pavilions and, fountains are laid out with grace and beauty. There are tall palm trees, pomegranates with their beautiful red flowers contrasting with the green of their leaves, myrtle hedges, cypress trees and fragrant roses as well as a series of gurgling fountains and rectangular ponds. The Spanish Royal Family still reside here when in Seville. From the Alcázar I went to have a look at Seville's most luxurious hotel, the "Alfonso X111", built in1928 and all marble and glazed tiles. Just gorgeous! My next stop was the Plaza de España and the adjacent Maria Luisa Parque. The Plaza was built for the 1929 International Fair in extravagant style.There is a huge Tower, an enormous Exposition Building, a moat with three tiled bridges over it giving access to a central Moorish fountain. Along with the park It is a great place for people to relax and chill out. In the evening I went to the Casa del Flamenco for a very stylish and energetic night of flamenco performed in a lovely courtyard. Tomorrow I take the AVE train to Cordoba.