Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Seville

‘La Catedral de Sevilla’ (or ofiicially‘Catedral de Santa María de la Sede’) has a lenght of 126 metres and a width of 83 metres. Its maximum height in the centre of the transept is 37 metres. The total surface of the building is 23.500 square metres. Measured by area Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church all over the world. The cathedral is built on the site of Seville’s main mosque. This Almohad Mosque was consecrated as a cathedral in the year of 1248. The construction of thee Gothic cathedral began in 1434 and was finished early 16th century. Seville's cathedral was built to demonstrate the power and wealth of the city after the Reconquista. The huge interior of the cathedral, with a central nave and four side aisles, is richly decorated. It also contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus. In the center of the church is the choir (main picture), which has elaborate 15th-century choir stalls. Seville Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

The Real Alcázar Palace has the largest late-medieval garden in Europe, offering one of the most beautiful examples of royal Spanish palace grounds. The garden is an original representation of the typical Mudéjar style, a Muslim artistic expression adapted by the Christian world. Glazed and unglazed tiles and many features, like water channels, glittering pools, fountains and water spouts give this green oasis a special character. During the 16th century - when Seville was the richest city in Spain - changes were made. The old garden spaces survived, but Charles V's designers were influenced by Renaissance styles when making a large labyrinth and a fine pavilion. A new garden was made in the early 20th century. Nowadays the large garden area is divided into several separate parts in all kinds of styles, like French, Italian and Arabic. The garden of Real Alcázar has more than 170 different species of plants and trees, like palm, cypress, myrtle, mulberries, magnolia, orange, almond and lemon trees.

The Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville): details of the sumptuous decorations.

The Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville) was originally a Moorish fort. The palace is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Spain and is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, being used by King Juan Carlos when he visits Seville. The Real Alcazár was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. The Real Alcázar is built on the site of a Roman fort. The first Caliph of Andalusia ordered in the 10th century the construction of a castle, which later changed into a fortified palace. When Ferdinand III of Castile regained the city on the Moors in 1248, the Alcazar became the royal palace. Most of the present buildings were constructed after 1364, when King Pedro the Cruel commissioned the construction of a new palace The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles in the mudejar style, but it has also islamic, gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical elements. Picture(s): the Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the Maidens) is the main courtyard of the palace. This was the center of public life in the palace. The patio is named after the ladies (doncellas) who spent much of their time here.