Spain, Seville – Royal Alcazar -Courtyard of the Maidens – Donacellas (Mudéjar) (00:08:36)

The Real Alcázar is situated near the Seville Cathedral and the General Archive of the Indies in one of Andalusia’s most emblematic areas. In the year 712, Seville was conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate. In the year 913, after a revolt against Cordoba’s government, the first caliph of Andalusia Abd al-Rahman III built a fortified construction in place of a Visigothic Christian basilica.  It was a quadrangular enclosure, fortified, and annexed to the walls. In the 11th century, the second king, Al-Mu’tamid, expanded the structure to the west with a new palace ‘Al Mubarak’. Various additions to the construction such as stables and warehouses were also carried out.  As Seville was established as the capital of Al-Andalus, the Almohade caliphs made the Alcazar their main residence.