If I were ever to build a palace, I hope it would look something like Seville’s Alcázar. This place is truly a work of art. It is one of the few places we’ve been to that has changed hands from Muslim to Christian rulers and still retains much of its original continuity and beauty.

We spent nearly a full day here wandering through the halls, taking our breaks in the vast gardens before continuing to gape at all there was to see here. There are no doubt many stories to be told about the people who lived here, but none of them seem to have survived. The architecture itself seems to outshine any other human drama.

You’ll no doubt surmise from the pictures that this architecture is Moorish in design. Folks, this is what happens when you apply the full genius of human creativity to a task in which carving human likenesses is forbidden. Behold what a few artistic boundaries can do:

This is a must see if you’re coming to Seville. Every single room is a delight. It’s right across from the cathedral, but do not – I repeat, do not – see both the Alcázar and the cathedral on the same day. It’s too much.