The building of the Christian Kings Alcazar: plan, towers and entrance

Introduction

        The Alcazar has a square plan of sixty-six meters of length in North-South directionPartial Alcázar plan and sixty-two in direction East-West, occupying four thousand meters squares.
        The wall is made with irregular stones, with upper paths, with merlons and trumpet windows that communicate the towers.
        There were four towers, in each corner. The Tower of the Dove, put toward South-East, it was destroyed in 1850;Main access and the statue of Alphonse X the Wise to the bottom the tower was the entrance of the palace, even it was used for canalize the water from the river to the Gardens, Royal Baths and residences. Of the three towers only remains the Tower of the Tribute and the Tower of Lions. This one is situated in the North-East and its gargolys spot out. The Tribute Tower owes its name because a lot of flags waved. Previously was named the Tower of the Clock. This one was removed in the XX Century.
        The other conserved tower is the Inquisition Tower, situated inMain access to the gallery behind the sculpture of Alphonse X the Wise the South-Easth of the Alcazar. Its shape is round and has three storeys, with two differentiated parts, one older with trumpet windows with cross shape and another and a second one with prism shape.
        The external aspect is of a great fortress with its aim of war. The best conserved, is the one in the north part, which connects the Tower of Lions to the Tower of the Tribute.  Main Gallery
        The nowadays entrance is in the lion entrance with a pointed arch, with stucco voussoirs and the clear span shorter than the radius. The imposts are in limestone.
        As you get into the Alcazar you can see a rectangular hall with a spectacular vault. Its capitals are spoilt and are put in the corners. Crossing the hall you can appreciate the Mosaics Room then towards north there is a round path which connects the tower of the lions to the tower of the tribute. If you turn right you find, downstairs, the baths and a Moorish Court.

Text: J.A.S.C.

Traslated by Sara Moretti