Real Alcázar

The Real Alcázar is the oldest and the still inhabited royal palace in Europe. During the time of the Taifa kingdom, the Moors started building a regent’s house. After the Christian reconquest of the city (1248), a large part of the Moorish buildings were demolished to make way for Christian architecture. The Gothic Palace and the palace of Peter I. in Mudejar style (14^th century) are examples of this.
In the 16^th century, a part of Real Alcázar became the seat of the trading house Casa de la Contratación, which regulated and organised American trade. Even today, a visit to the Sala Capitular brings the spirit of the explorers to life. Personalities like Magellan, Columbus and Amérigo Vespucci were present there at the start of the 16^th century.

The extensive gardens of the Royal Palace are a small paradise in the middle of the city centre. Plants from five continents offer the visitor wonderful visual impressions and fragrances in every season. On hot summer days, the gardens are an ideal place to take a break under thick foliage and listen to the murmur of the fountains and small water channels. On the occasion of the Magellan anniversary year, the gardens of Real Alcázars are transformed into a Jardín Cosmopolita. Using the app, you can identify the plants and enjoy music from their countries of origin. A real audio experience!