More mosaics, more gardens and more courtyards! Seville’s palaces are just breathtaking.
The Alcázar is the most well-known palace of Seville, Spain, but there are many more. They might not be royal palaces, but they are still amazing. I visited three palacios, the Casa de Pilatos, Palacio de los Dueñas, and the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija.
The Casa de Pilatos is the residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli. The palace is a combination Italian Renaissance and Mudéjer elements, a unique Spanish style. It was built in the late 15th century and has one of the largest collections of azulejo tiles (Spanish tin-glazed ceramic tiles).
I was only able to visit the bottom floor because tours upstairs weren’t being offered. It was still amazing. I highly recommend.
The very simple carriage entrance.
The fancier formal entrance.
I’m in love with this courtyard. The combination Italian Renaissance and Mudéjer styles is so pretty.
Look at all those tiles!
Just stunning!
Dark in here but still gorgeous.
Amazing!
I’m not sure about the weird gold ball but the room is lovely.
The ceiling of this room is also lovely.
The entrance to the palace’s chapel.
Ooo! Green tiles!
Just the carving in the chapel’s doorway. So much detail put into everything.
The tiles just next to the windows are even more elaborate.
Looking out at that courtyard.
On the side of the palace is a lovely, tiled gallery and a garden.
I love formal gardens. Just so peaceful.
Definitely some Italian Renaissance vibes going on here.
That Mudejar ceiling is just amazing.
The above is just a taste of the wonderful Casa de Pilatos. Now for Palacio de los Dueñas. This palace also only has the ground floor and gardens for self-exploration, which was okay with me. The palace is gorgeous and so are the gardens. Even though the palace is in the middle of the city, its splendid gardens almost completely surround the palace. This palace is home to the House of Alba, a Spanish noble family. This 15th century palace is a combination of Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance styles and unlike the last palace, is furnished.
Now that is a grand palace gate.
Right after the main entrance is a gorgeous garden. which was all decorated for the holidays.
This is wonderful.
Spanish gardens are just amazing.
Decorative and cooling in the summer.
This doorway was just beckoning me into the courtyard beyond.
Just perfect.
Even the galleries of the courtyard were filled with plants.
That is quite a door.
The route through the palace finally brings you inside to this wonderful room, which I think is the Salón de la Gitana (which translates to Gypsy Hall?).
A lot of knickknacks in this room, which is called Salón Cuadrado (Square Room. Very original).
The weirdly decorated dining room. They call it the Print Room, but it sure looks like a dining room.
The palace chapel.
The Antechapel, or room before the chapel.
Nice little library.
Why is this house so gorgeous?
The formal entrance into the courtyard.
Even the less formal areas of the palace are gorgeous.
This post is already getting long, but I have one more very unique palace to show you. The Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija looks like a pretty standard old building on the street but once you go inside, wow! It’s a 16th century palace that was remodeled in the 19th and 20th centuries. The palace is noted for its Ancient Roman mosaics and art and other works. Again, only the first floor is available for self-guided tours, but the guided tours are included in your ticket. The tour time worked out for me, so I was able to go upstairs. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed up there.
The first thing you see once you get to the courtyard is a freaking Roman mosaic on the ground!
The Countess of Lebrija was an avoid art and antiquities collector and mosaic pavements are everywhere. Like this one at the base of the stairs.
Which are covered in 16th century tiles!
There are antiquities everywhere.
Giant Ancient Roman mosaic on the floor here and even some on the walls.
Here’s another one taking up most of the room.
The dining room is adorable, especially with all the painted ceramic plates on the walls.
A tiled covered porch.
A little statue where a fountain once wall. The countess remodeled here home to fit her mosaic collection.
Just a little antiquities collection and a mosaic floor.
The Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija is much smaller than the other palaces I had visited but it sure was a delight. The countess was an interesting woman and I’m glad her descendants opened this house as a museum.
The palacios of Seville are must-sees if you find yourself nearby. The palaces do cost a bit more to visit, but they are well worth it. Each one is unique, and you never know what you will find around the corner.
Check out my next update where I will be exploring Seville’s churches.
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Start at the beginning of my travels around Spain!
