The Doors of the Alcazar of Seville

Did you know that the Alcazar of Seville has more than one door? In this blog we will talk about them, their characteristics and their particular history, so if you like or plan to visit the Alcazar of Seville, keep reading this blog to learn more about its doors. I tell you in advance that they are sure to surprise you.

However, to see the gates and know more about them, the most important thing is to know what is the Alcazar of Seville. This fantastic site is a walled palace complex built in different historical stages, where the original palace was built in the Middle Ages. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, so it is of great cultural and tourist importance.

Speaking of its gates, the Alcazar of Seville has 2 gates: the Gate of Abd al-Azir and the Lion Gate. We will talk about them in more depth later on, but one of them is the actual entrance to the Alcazar, being very important.

Curious to know more? Read on to discover the history and importance of the gates of the Alcazar of Seville. Moreover, if you want to visit this spectacular monument in the best possible way and having the best experience, with our Guided Tour of Seville’s Royal Alcazar you can get it. There is also the possibility to visit the Alcazar and the Cathedral of Seville thanks to our Monumental Guided Tour in Seville, where you will discover 2 of the best monuments of the city.

The current entrance to the Alcazar

The current gateway through which one enters the Alcazar is the Lion’s Gate, formerly known as the Puerta de la Montería (this was due to its function as an entrance or entrance hall to the courtyard of the same name). Located in the outer wall of the complex, in a curve of the wall facing northwest, it is the main access route to the enclosure. Between the lintel of this gate and under a machicolation is a painting of a lion, the origin of which is unknown, but from which the gate takes its name. It is built in the Almohad style, covered by a tiled panel made of ceramic tiles from the Mensaque factory in 1894, thanks to the historian José Gestoso.

This is the current entrance to the monument because the views from the Lion Gate, with the façade of King Pedro’s Palace in the background, are much more beautiful and attractive than the wall visible as soon as you enter through the previous gate on Calle Miguel de Mañara.

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Puerta del León Sevilla

Gate of Abd al-Aziz

Through the Gate of Abd al-Aziz one could access an esplanade that was continuously rising, which through the present-day streets of San Gregorio and Miguel de Mañara and through the buildings that are currently occupied there, reached the entrance to the Alcazar.

Today, the two towers that flanked it, one of them square and the other hexagonal, are still preserved. The latter, dating from the 12th century, began a line of walls that joined the outer walls of the palace enclosure in Calle Santo Tomás, passing through the Torre de la Cilla, with the Torre del Bronce, the Torre de la Plata and the Postigo del Carbón, in Calle Santander, and these with the Torre del Oro, already on the banks of the River Guadalquivir, by means of a broken and crenellated line of walls on both sides, which includes the Atarazanas.

The retinue of King Ferdinand III entered the city and placed its victorious banner on this tower, hence the name Tower of Victory.

Puerta de Abd al-Aziz Sevilla

Lion’s Gate and Courtyard

As mentioned above, the Lion Gate is the current entrance to the Alcazar of Seville, and is of great importance. After crossing the gate we have a small room where we can see and contemplate a Virgin and Child in terracotta and the staircase leading to the parapet of the wall.

Once past the ticket office and the access control, the Lion Courtyard is the first thing you will come across, and we warn you that it is beautiful to see. It is an open room divided into four floral polygons formed by myrtle, inside which grow a wide variety of flowers such as laurels, jasmine, pomegranate trees, roses, among other species. The current design of this courtyard is thanks to Joaquín Romero Murube, who designed it in the 20th century.

This courtyard is separated from the Patio de la Monteria by a defensive Almohad wall belonging to Al-Qasr al-Muwarak. This was largely destroyed by the construction of the Mudéjar Palace.

A curious fact is that in this courtyard there was, in the 17th century, the so-called Corral de la Montería, which was a theatre for comedies.

On both sides of the wall that separates the courtyards of the Lion and the Montería, we have the first two rooms. On the left is the Hall of Justice and the Patio del Yeso. Also, on the right is the Guard’s Quarters.

Patio del León Sevilla

Are you planning to come to Seville? You can consult all the information regarding our guided tours in Seville in the link, and you can find all the information regarding:

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