Garden of the Poets
The Alcazar in Seville. There's quite a lot to write about this.
Physically...it's located in the monumental zone of Seville, within sight of the Archive of the Indies and the Seville Cathedral.
History... This exact site has been occupied since the 8th century B.C. (Hello, Phoenicians!) The College of Olearians was on this plot o' land beginning in the 1st century A.D. (Thanks, Romans!) An early Visigothic church was built on the ruins of that. (That'd be the Basilica of Saint Vincent.) Hey, the Moor the better! They came along in 712 and ruled Seville for about 5 centuries (different Moorish empires) during which time they expanded the buildings a little bit. Finally, the Christians took the town back in the mid-13th century and demolished almost everything...just to rebuild it...in Mudejar fashion. (What is Mudejar? It's an architectural style that means...Christians imitating Muslim style without the actual Muslims. Something along those lines.) Which brings us to...
Today...it's a palace (technically palaces; the Spanish name is Reales Alcazares...and the royal family still owns this place and has residence here. All of the second floor...their private digs.) The tour guide enjoyed using the word "pastiche," and...it is. Beautiful as this place is, it's a mix...Gothic palace, gardens, Casa del Asistente, Casa de la Contratacion, Mudejar, and a very little of the original Moorish construction (Patio del Yeso). Basically a mix of a whole lot of different...stuff. For example, in the Casa de la Contratacion, you'll find the Capilla de la Virgen de los Navegantes (Admirals' Room).
Most folks seem about 99% certain that this is the room where Queen Isabel awaited as Columbus returned from the New World for the first time. His coat of arms is hanging on the wall here, opposite a painting that has him in it. (His coat of arms has the royal coats of Castilla y Leon, plus some Caribbean islands, plus anchors....with the inscription "Columbus gave a new world to Castille and Leon."
A lot happened on these grounds. Births (and maybe deaths), intrigue, legends. It's a beautiful, fascinating place.
Garden of the Poets
The Alcazar in Seville. There's quite a lot to write about this.
Physically...it's located in the monumental zone of Seville, within sight of the Archive of the Indies and the Seville Cathedral.
History... This exact site has been occupied since the 8th century B.C. (Hello, Phoenicians!) The College of Olearians was on this plot o' land beginning in the 1st century A.D. (Thanks, Romans!) An early Visigothic church was built on the ruins of that. (That'd be the Basilica of Saint Vincent.) Hey, the Moor the better! They came along in 712 and ruled Seville for about 5 centuries (different Moorish empires) during which time they expanded the buildings a little bit. Finally, the Christians took the town back in the mid-13th century and demolished almost everything...just to rebuild it...in Mudejar fashion. (What is Mudejar? It's an architectural style that means...Christians imitating Muslim style without the actual Muslims. Something along those lines.) Which brings us to...
Today...it's a palace (technically palaces; the Spanish name is Reales Alcazares...and the royal family still owns this place and has residence here. All of the second floor...their private digs.) The tour guide enjoyed using the word "pastiche," and...it is. Beautiful as this place is, it's a mix...Gothic palace, gardens, Casa del Asistente, Casa de la Contratacion, Mudejar, and a very little of the original Moorish construction (Patio del Yeso). Basically a mix of a whole lot of different...stuff. For example, in the Casa de la Contratacion, you'll find the Capilla de la Virgen de los Navegantes (Admirals' Room).
Most folks seem about 99% certain that this is the room where Queen Isabel awaited as Columbus returned from the New World for the first time. His coat of arms is hanging on the wall here, opposite a painting that has him in it. (His coat of arms has the royal coats of Castilla y Leon, plus some Caribbean islands, plus anchors....with the inscription "Columbus gave a new world to Castille and Leon."
A lot happened on these grounds. Births (and maybe deaths), intrigue, legends. It's a beautiful, fascinating place.