The Alcázar facing the cathedral was developed from a previous Moorish Palace and is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe. Construction was started in 1181 and continued for over 500 years, mainly in the Mudéjar style (a style of Iberian architecture and decoration, particularly of the 12th to 16th centuries, strongly influenced by Moorish taste and workmanship) but also in the Renaissance style. The gardens, for example, (See photo) are a blend of Moorish, Renaissance, and English traditions.
This is a truly magnificent palace and it was a pity that we only had 40 minutes to explore. The Façade of Peter of Castile’s (See to photo) dominates the first courtyard beyond the main gate.
Another example of the Moorish influence is the ornate archway leading from the Hall of the Ambassadors that has an equally ornate domed ceiling decorated in gold leaf.
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