| The
Alcázar of Seville (Spanish: Reales Alcázares de Sevilla)
is a royal palace in Seville, Spain. Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcázar
(from the Arabic al-qasr, meaning "palace") has been expanded several times.
The Almohades were the first to build a palace, called Al-Muwarak, on the
site. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for
King Pedro of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction
beginning in 1364. Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace giving
it a distinctly Islamic design. The palace is one of the best remaining
examples of mudéjar architecture, a style under Christian rule in
Spain but using Islamic architectural influence. Subsequent monarchs have
added their own additions to the Alcázar. Charles V's addition of
gothic elements contrasts with the dominant Islamic style. |
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