Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Carmona
 |
| The Parador of Carmona was an Alcazar - an Islamic fort in medieval times |
Yesterday afternoon we drove from Merida to our new Parador in Carmona, which is about
30 KM from Seville. We lost an hour when we traveled from Portugal to Spain, plus we lost
an hour for the daylight savings time change and we traveled through rush hour in Seville, so
it was dark when we arrived at the Parador Carmona.
 |
| The single pylon Alamillo Bridge, designed by Calatrava, crosses the Guadalquivir River in Seville |
 |
| A canal of the Guadalquivir River with the Tower of Seville on the horizon - a 40 story high rise, newly built. |
 |
| There are ~90 of these black bulls scattered through the Spanish countryside - once an advertisement for a brandy distillery |
We are staying for 3 nights at this parador, which features a nice big room, with large 2ft x 2ft
terra cotta tiles, a large bathroom with a big tub and a view south over the countryside for
miles. The parador occupies a 14th century Moorish fortress, known as an alcázar in Spanish.
It maintains the original Arabic style architecture – the building is beautiful and the views are
stunning. Originally built by the Moors, it was reconquered by King Pedro, and is now known
as the Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro.
 |
| Beautiful high perch of the Carmona Parador - our room was on the second tier on the right |
 |
| Ruins of the original alcazar (fort) are extensive and can be toured |
 |
| Surrounding walls and barbican form the entrance to the parador - original fortifications of a Moorish alcazar |
 |
| Two levels of gates and walls, prior to entrance to the courtyard (which now serves as the car park for the parador) |
The parador enjoys a magnificent location on the edge of the town on top of a small
hill, the highest point in the town, overlooking the town and the countryside. It was
built on the site of a primitive Acropolis. A muslim fortress of the Taifa King of Carmona
was constructed here. Archaeologists describe a huge rectangle of two enclosures,
one inside the other separated by walls and a barbican, except on its eastern side
where the wall had nine towers. The palace had a moat with two doors on both sides.
 |
| Entrance to the Parador of Carmona - which is the renovated palace section of the old alcazar |
 |
| The parador is formally known as the Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro |
After the 1247 reconquest of Carmona by King Ferdinand III of Castile, King Pedro I
of Castile, who reigned from 1334 to 1369, rebuilt the castle as a splendid Mudejar palace.
According to the chronicles, it was his favorite residence and a worthy rival of the Alcazar
of Seville that was also the king's work. It was devastated in two earthquakes in 1504
and in 1755. After the last earthquake, the palace remained in ruins until it was renovated
in 1976. The parador is located in the eastern corner of the old Alcazar (castle) enclosure.
The lead architect, Jose Luis Picardo, chose to follow a Hispano-Muslim style and the layout
of the parador was determined from the archaeological site survey. The interior room layout
was modified for use as a hotel. The old Plaza de Armas is now the Parador car park. The
Royal House and its rooms constitute the living rooms and bedrooms.
 |
| Views of the countryside from the terrace |
 |
| The terrace is a terrific place for a drink or for breakfast |
 |
| From the terrace, a view of the parador's swimming pool and the eastern countryside |
 |
| Attractive dining hall at breakfast |
 |
| Blue tiled courtyard with fountain |
 |
| These same decorative tiles are used in each guest room |
 |
| Catching up on a little work |
No comments:
Post a Comment