Royal Alcázar

Buzz OnNature
Aug 2, 2024
4 min read

Seville, Palace gardens

Seville, a gem located in the beautiful region of Andalusia, Spain. A traditional city steeped in rich history and vibrant culture, Seville boasts a treasure trove of enchanting outdoor spaces. Among those is one of the most stunning gardens I have had the pleasure of visiting and a wonderful example of multicultural gardening techniques - Royal Alcázar of Seville.

The Palace Gardens of Seville, known for their exquisite beauty and intricate designs, have captivated visitors for centuries, serving as a living testament to the city's storied past and its enduring horticultural legacy. Originating from the Moorish era, the palace gardens in Seville are a striking fusion of Islamic and European influences, reflecting the diverse cultural history of the city in a beautiful botanical showcase. These gardens are carefully curated to embody the essence of various garden themes allowing a visitor to go on a world tour all within the palace walls.

I visited the gardens at the beginning of March when the average temperatures in Seville were 21°C and occasional rain showers were expected (arguably there was a lot more rain than expected!). As someone from Britain, the first thing that strikes you in Seville would be the stunning orange trees, dominating courtyards, and decorating the streets. Citrus blossoms and their delicate fragrance would be a reoccuring theme in the gardens of the region.

The Palace

As a bit of an architecture admirer, the Palace itself with geometric features true to its Islamic design principles is definitely something to admire. I would recommend taking your time when visiting the palace - I spent around two hours there and that's only because they were closing!

Vibrant tiles and extravagant rooms hint at the dimension of the gardens. Throughout the walk through, you can catch glimpses of the gardens through windows and across courtyards, each time showcasing a different style and array of plants.

Eventually you’ll find yourself stood at the top of a set of stairs overlooking one of the larger courtyards. An impressive set of covered corridors and stairs to your left creating a divider from the landscaped gardens beyond.

Courtyards

I’m a sucker for a Mediterranean courtyard! Throw in a few citrus trees and a bistro table, and that would be a heavenly way to spend an afternoon - in my opinion. A true courtyard inspires the relaxed perception of Mediterranean life; birds singing in fragrant trees, colourful flowers against rich green leaves, gentle breezes and a peaceful soundscape - what’s not to love.

The courtyards in the Alcázar do not stray from the courtyard recipe, however, I can imagine that in peak times with hundreds of tourists trying to take photos for Instagram, this relaxing feeling can get a little lost. I went late in the afternoon and for the most part managed to enjoy the ambience with little disruption. Beautiful places for a short while and of course some instagrammable photos…

Royal Palace Gardens courtyard and arches in Seville

English Garden

A small sliver of home - the English garden is a pretty good representation of a country manor. With fragrant rose bushes framing a well kept lawn (despite the difference in climate!) and quaint little fountains and ornamental statues - it truly feels like a collage of typical national trust gardens, in a nice familial way. I did not spend much of my time here, but I could see why someone might. Dappled shade from tall trees and a whimsical ‘unorganised’ feel to the space felt worlds away from the rigid lines and clear designs of the other gardens.

Renaissance Gardens

A particular favourite part of the gardens is Mercury Pond within one the renaissance gardens. One of the higher parts of the garden, Mercury Pond collected water from the roman aqueducts for use elsewhere in the garden. Now overseen by a statue of the Roman god Mercury (amongst other things, the god of travellers - how fitting!) and several murals, the pond is a great vantage point of the gardens.

Mercury Pond with painting and palm trees in the background

Another honourable mention in the renaissance gardens, and a quieter gem in my eyes, is the Lion Pavilion. Slightly hidden in the garden as another water feature, the Lion Pavilion is a tranquil location. With Islamic architecture and a fusion of plants, this space is a nice ornamental bubble away from the crowds. If you can stumble upon it, it's well worth a little bit of your time and appreciation!

Lion statue overlooking a pond with palm trees in the background

From the geometrically precise layouts inspired by Islamic design principles to the lush greenery and colourful blooms that epitomise the vibrancy of European landscaping, the palace gardens in Seville encapsulate a harmonious blend of cultural influences. Each garden, with its own unique theme and allure, invites visitors on an enchanting journey through time, allowing them to immerse themselves in the beauty and tranquillity of these horticultural masterpieces.

I could honestly waffle on about these lovely gardens all day, with changing environments and a real appreciation of history and culture. In reality, I need to go back and dedicate more time to this spot! 100% recommend, even with a 15 euro ticket fee.

Final Thoughts

The stunning Palace gardens of Seville were truly a full body trip into serenity. Incorporating sight, scent and texture to be a great example of gardening diversity and what can be achieved with careful design. The captivating garden scenes are owed to the interesting origins of the Palace itself, proudly showcasing its influences to enchant visitors. If you ever find yourself in the courtyards of Seville, why not experience the allure of the royal gardens, where history and horticulture intertwine to create an unforgettable sensory experience in the heart of Andalusia's crown jewel.

*Note: I found this map of the gardens after my visit and I thought I’d include it as I would have really liked to know more about the areas I was walking through at the time!

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