The Alcazar Palace has had many changes in its function, design and ownership over the centuries since it was built.
We were told the story of one Spanish king who was forced into a marriage for political expedience, but in fact loved another woman. He and his wife had no children but his mistress, whom he had settled into the Moorish palace, gave him five daughters. Off course they were not entitled to the throne. Sadly he was killed by a rival for the throne, who stabbed him in the back. The same fate awaited his rival some 20 years later. This was par for the course those days. There always was high drama around the royal houses of England and Europe . . . intermarriage, plots and counterplots, wars, assassinations, executions . . .
Its history aside, this was a most magnificent testimony to the excellent craftsmanship of the Moors. The intricate patterns created with mosaic tiles, the interesting curves and spaces, the superb colours, were a joy to behold. The gardens were lovely too. Our guide, however had a little dig about Gibraltar always refusing to become part of Spain. In the garden were growing some Seville oranges trees. The fruit was still quite green. Apparently it is quite bitter and is best made into marmalade. Anyhow she said they sent a lot of these oranges to Britain under an agreement to use them to manufacture marmalade, but really they were an expression of how bitter Spain was about Gibraltar. . . I am not sure if she was serious or just playing a joke on us.
It was hard to choose between the many photos I took, so I probably have included too many, but I hope you enjoy them, especially all the rich patterns in the tiling on the walls, the floors and the ceilings. The first photos were taken outdoors, the remaining photos indoors.
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