After visiting the palace for a couple of hours and feeling completely overwhelmed, I was thrilled to enter into what I now know, is an extensive natural paradise. The beautiful gardens of Royal Alcazar of Seville are amazing and offer visitors a peaceful respite.
Brief History
Along with the palace history in my previous post, the gardens past is similar. Originally the grounds surrounding the fortress and palace were predominately orchards and vegetable gardens. Slowly these transformed into the beautiful and distinctive spaces we explore today.
In total 15 different gardens are represented here and cover 15 acres of land. These include more than 150 plant species, ducks, peacock families, fountains, water features, a maze and much more. Here are some of my favourite garden spaces.
Grotesque Gallery
A beautiful and unique area of the gardens. This two-story wall was built in the early 1600’s to replace the original 12th century garden wall. Here in the Galleria de Grutesco, visitors will see an unusual textural surface that extends the entire length of the walls. This style is intended to create a vision of rocks emerging from the wall, in an effort to blend with the natural surroundings.
Climb up to the second level, and walk along a narrow tiled path looking out both directions into different gardens. The views from up here are lovely.
If you look down onto the walls themselves, you will capture glimpses of the fantastical paintings that used to adorn these now almost blank spaces. This whole area would have been covered with paintings, and fragrant with beautiful plants and trees. The gentle breeze threading its way through these arches divine on a hot summers day.
Ladies Garden
The Jardin de las Damas encompasses quite a large and beautiful space close to the palace itself. Each tranquil path is met with a small fountain where it crosses another path. In the centre is a large glorious white marble fountain with a statue of Neptune at the apex.
Walking through these paths hearing the quite hush of the trickle of water, I am instantly transported to a more restful and soft space.
English Gardens
A larger area beyond the more structured gardens is the English Garden. Here I found open lawn space, the peacocks roaming, and some interesting flora. These thorned trees called Ceiba or Silk Floss, I have seen before in Mexico. The ones living here are enormous!
Many areas with benches, statues and shaded paths to slowly stroll and enjoy the space, can be found in this garden. A particularly interesting moss-covered fountain is here too. Visitors young and old can delight in the friendly ducks, watching them quarrel and go about their day.
Game of Thrones
Fans of this series will be able to spot some familiar places here at Royal Alcazar. Areas of the gardens here were used for the backdrop of Dorne and the Kings Landing. Myrcella and Trystane have their romantic encounters here. 😚
Can you see that beautiful balcony there? It is used in the opening scenes of Dorne when we are first introduced to the king. I like millions of others, love this series and anytime I visit a place that was used in the series, it transports me, as if in a time machine.
These gardens of Royal Alcazar are a treasure to behold. When you have been overwhelmed by the palace itself, the glorious tile, architecture and all that it encompasses, these gardens are waiting. Why not have a break and enjoy a little coffee in the café too. One could spend an entire day here and be filled with all things historical, magical and beautiful.
