Game of Thrones Tour
Alcázar of Seville
The Water Gardens and Sunspear, seat of House Martell in Dorne.
Alcázar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville (royal palace in Seville, Spain) is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and is recognized as the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use. The upper chambers of the Alcazar are still used by the Spanish royal family as their official residence in Seville.
The Alcazar of Seville is one of the best examples of architecture in the style of Mudejar (the Moorish style). In this place in Seville, the original palace, called Al-Muwarak, was built by the Almohades in the 12th century. Construction of the current building on the site of the first Arabic fortress began in 1364 by order of King Pedro I. Since the construction, it has been constantly reworked and expanded, acquiring new stylistic features.
The palace itself was truly breathtaking, exotic Arabian architecture with ornate floors, ceilings and walls, intricate details of the azulejos (ceramic tiles), beautiful green gardens immersed in the scent of roses and orange trees and fountains with a look ideal for recreating the Water Gardens of Dorne, seat of House Martell in the Game of Thrones series.
Game of Thrones was filmed in four parts of the Seville Alcazar:
the Ambassadors’ Hall, Mercury’s Pool, the Baths of Maria de Padilla, and the gardens.
Hall of Ambassadors
The Ambassadors' Hall (Salón de Embajadores) is the most impressive and important room of the palace and it was used for public events and affairs of state. Also known as the throne room of the original Arabic Palace. The salon is majestically decorated with beautiful tiled walls in the Moorish style and has an impressive domed ceiling with gold carvings and geometric shapes. You will find this room at the far end of the Maidens’ Courtyard, an arcaded patio with a long pool and orange trees.
Mercury's Pond
Mercury's Pond (Estanque de Mercurio) is large pool decorated by frescoes and stonework. At the center of the pond is a small fountain with a statue of Mercury. The bronze statue of Mercury with his winged helmet was designed by Diego de Pesquera and cast by Bartolomé Morel in 1576. Behind the pool is the Italian grotto gallery, which was constructed to transform the old Almohad wall into a loggia. Is made from volcanic stones of different types that are reminiscent sea rocks. The view from the gallery into both sides of the gardens is spectacular.
Baths of Maria de Padilla
Baths of Lady Maria de Padilla (Los Baños de Doña María de Padilla) are rainwater tanks beneath the Patio del Crucero. The tanks are named after King Pedro’s mistress, Maria de Padilla, Castilian noblewoman who would come here to seek solace in the subterranean gallery. Maria met King Pedro in the summer of 1352 and their relationship lasted until her death despite the King’s other marriages and affairs.
Gardens of the Royal Alcazar
The famous gardens of the Alcazar in Seville were depicted in many scenes of the Game of Thrones series.
The city of Seville has been featured in other famous movies. For example, its beautiful Plaza de Espana appeared in "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones". The Alcazar has also been used to film historic movies including "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Kingdom of Heaven".
