Seville's Alcazar

The Alcazar in Seville is a royal palace, first built by the Moors in 10th-12th centuries, then updated when the Christians moved in. The Christians left much of it intact, happily, and it is a visual feast, only a few morsels of which can be conveyed in photography.

Tile ceiling dome in one of the rooms

Columns, arch, tiles...

Courtyard and water feature

St. Mary of the Benevolent Winds; in the

Admiralty Rooms, from which the Spanish

planned to rule the New World; St. Mary's

cloak protects all, you see; Rickie Stevie

says it's called St. Mary of the Good Farts

The painting is significant in that it contains

the oldest representation of Columbus, 1535,

just 30 years after his death, and thus is

thought be at least possibly accurate...yes,

he was said to be a blond, at least in his earlier

(fun) years

Gardens

Another water feature, this one the baths of the female royalty 

(and friends)