Real Alcazar - the inside story

Hola!  I am back again with some more photos of Seville, this time our visit to the Real Alcazar (Royal Palace).

This imposing chap greets you at the gate...

The outside of the building looks rather formidable...

But inside, the beauty and refinement is amazing...

This dome is made of thousands of pieces of glass...

Breathtaking...

The inner court reminded me so much of the Alhambra in Granada...

There was also a slightly newer part, with a definite Renaissance feel...

But, for me, the real beauty is in the Moorish design of Al Andalus...this is the underground pool where the inhabitants of the palace would cool off during the summer heat (which can reach 45 degrees Celsius in the summertime)...

The patterns decorating the palace were simply stunning, oh if only I had quilting skills to replicate some of these patterns...

I fell in love with this place, but the inside of the palace is only half of what awaits the visitor - back soon with photos of the amazing (and huge!!) gardens.

Helenxx

Moorish Designs

Hello again, hope all is well with you and yours.

As a creative type, I love to observe different patterns - whether these are natural forms (think honeycomb or knots in wood), or man made.  The design and pattern I saw on the amazing buildings in Al Andalus recently totally bowled me over.  Lots of photos were taken.  Here are some of my favourites...

...to me, some lend themselves to patchwork, others to embroidery...such beauty, such precision and attention to detail...all completed whilst the rest of Europe was firmly in the Dark Ages...amazing.  Inspiring.

Helenxx