Page 322 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

320  THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

palaces that had been built in gardens of the Real Alcázar
the 12th century by the Moors. provide a delightful refuge
Craftsmen from Granada and from the bustle of Seville.
Toledo created a stunning
complex of Mudéjar patios and P Hospital de los
halls, the Palacio Pedro I, now Venerables
at the heart of Seville’s Real Plaza de los Venerables 8. Tel 95-456
Alcázar. Successive monarchs 26 96. Open 10am–2pm, 4–8pm daily.
added their own distinguishing Closed Jan 1, Good Friday, Dec 25.
marks: Isabel I dispatched & (free Sun pm). 8 7
navigators to explore the This late 17th-century home
New World from her Casa de for elderly priests has been
Contratación, while Carlos I restored as a cultural center,
(the Holy Roman Emperor its upper floors, cellar, and
Charles V) had grandiose, richly infirmary serving as exhibition
decorated apartments built. galleries. The Hospital church
A star feature of the palace is a showcase of Baroque
is the Salón de Embajadores splendors, with frescoes by both
(Ambassadors’ Hall), with its Juan de Valdés Leal and his son
The mighty Giralda bell tower, rising above dazzling dome of carved and Lucas Valdés. There are also fine
the Gothic cathedral gilded, interlaced wood. The sculptures by Pedro Roldán.
hall overlooks the Patio de
R Cathedral and La Giralda las Doncellas (Patio of the P Torre del Oro
Avda de la Constitución. Tel 954-21 49 Maidens), which boasts some Paseo de Cristóbal Colón. Tel 95-422
71. Open 11am–5pm Mon–Sat exquisite plasterwork and has 24 19. Open 9:30am–7pm Mon–Fri,
(Jul & Aug: 9:30am–4pm), 2:30–6pm been restored to its function 10:30am–7pm Sat & Sun. Closed Aug.
Sun. & 7 except Giralda tower. as a “floating garden,” as it & except Mon.
Seville’s cathedral occupies the was during Pedro I’s reign. The Moors built the Torre del Oro
site of a great mosque, built by Laid out with terraces, (Tower of Gold) as a defensive
the Almohads in the late 12th fountains, and pavilions, the lookout in 1220. Its turret was not
century. La Giralda, its huge bell
tower, and the beautiful Patio
de los Naranjos, which is filled
with orange trees, are a legacy
of this Moorish structure. Work
on the Christian cathedral
began in 1401. The bronze
spheres on the original Moorish
minaret were replaced by
Christian symbols, though the
Giralda did not assume its
present appearance until 1568.
Today, it is crowned by a bronze
sculpture portraying Faith. This
weathervane (giraldillo) has
given the tower its name.
Visitors can climb La Giralda
for superb views of the city.
The cathedral houses many
fine works of art, including the
stunning high-altar reredos,
with its 44 gilded reliefs, carved
by Spanish and Flemish
sculptors in 1482–1564.
P Real Alcázar
Patio de Banderas. Tel 95-450 23 24.
Open 9:30am–7pm daily (Oct–Mar: to
5pm); Jul & Aug: also open at night for
concerts. Closed Jan 1 & 6, Good Fri,
Sep 25. & ∑ alcazarsevilla.org
In 1364, Pedro I of Castile
ordered the construction of
a royal residence within the Fresco by Juan de Valdés Leal in the Hospital de los Venerables
For hotels and restaurants see pp330–32 and pp333–5

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