The gardens of the Alcazar of Seville are one of the jewels of the Andalusian city. It is a set of gardens located next to the city's fortress, one of the most emblematic buildings.
It is a meeting place for Sevillians and visitors, who come to enjoy the splendid views they offer, the tranquility they provide or the activities that take place in them.
History of the Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville
The gardens of the Alcázar of Seville were built in the XNUMXth century, in the same period in which the Alcázar was built. The idea of building gardens next to the Alcázar came from al-Mutamid, the king of Seville at that time. THEhe gardens were originally designed as a recreation area for members of the court. Subsequently, they were expanded and improved over the years. During the reign of Alfonso X, the Alcazar of Seville was the residence of the kings of Castile. In the XNUMXth century, the gardens were expanded by King Ferdinand the Catholic.
At that time, the fountain of the fallen was built, which is one of the most emblematic fountains in the gardens. In the XNUMXth century, the gardens were restored by the architect Antonio Navarro and the vegetable pavilion was also built. In the XNUMXth century, the bird pavilion was made. And at present, the gardens are managed by the Jardines del Alcázar Foundation.
The gardens were built with the aim of recreating the earthly paradise in which the mansions of the Arabs were located. For this reason, trees, paths, fountains and ponds were mixed.
Characteristics of the Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville
The gardens are divided into two areas: the upper area, located inside the fortress, and the lower area, located outside. In the upper area are the Patio de los Leones and the Patio de las Doncellas, two of the most emblematic patios of the fortress. In the lower area are the Jardin de las Damas, the Jardin de los Naranjos and the Jardin de los Plátanos. They are a public space for free use.
The gardens of the Alcázar of Seville are an important tourist attraction in the city. They are located in the old town of the Andalusian capital, in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. Its construction dates back to the 20.000th century, although they have undergone various renovations throughout history. They are very extensive gardens, occupying an area of more than XNUMX square meters. They stand out especially for their impressive ponds, fountains and patios. The great variety of trees and flowers that can be found in them is also remarkable.
Some of the places you can visit are:
- Patios: They are located inside the fortress and are the patios de las Doncellas, that of the Lions and that of the Ladies.
- Gardens: They are located on the outside and the most popular ones are Los Naranjos, Las Damas and Los Bantanos.
- Sources: The Fountain of the Nymphs and the Fountain of Neptune stand out.
- Paths: The path of the Roses is the most popular.
- Ponds: The Queen's pond and that of the Maidens are the most prominent.
Garden care
The care of these gardens is essential to maintain their beauty and for visitors to enjoy them. For this reason, the staff of the Alcázar is in charge of carrying out a series of tasks to keep them in perfect condition.
The tasks that are carried out in the gardens of the Alcázar are the following:
- Prune and remove dead tree limbs.
- The irrigation of the gardens of the Alcázar of Seville is carried out by means of a sprinkler system. Irrigation is done twice a day, in the morning and at night.
- Remove the leaves and herbs that grow on the paths.
- Keep ponds clean.
- Remove weeds from sources.
Final recommendations for the Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville
Finally, we offer you a series of tips so that you can fully enjoy your visit to the Gardens of the Alcázar of Seville:
- Visiting the gardens of the Alcázar of Seville during the spring is a good idea, since you can enjoy the flowers in all their splendor.
- Don't forget to bring a cap or hat to protect yourself from the sun, as well as water and a calorie bottle to keep you hydrated.
- If you want to enjoy the visit to the gardens in full, hire a guided tour.
- If you want to visit the gardens of the Alcázar of Seville, it is recommended that you check the opening and closing hours and plan your visit in advance.
- Respect the environment and do not litter.
- It is a space for family recreation, ideal to take your family. Yes indeed, animals are not allowed, except guide dogs.