The home of kings during the fifteenth century, the Alcazar is truly grand. The gardens are home to fountains, fish, and a hedge maze. Squirrels frisk among the trees, while lizards linger in the shadows. The building’s many courtyards and rooms take your breath away. Sure, the Alcazar isn’t as famous as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, but it is still an imposing building. The orange room, the courtyard of dolls, and the hall of ambassadors are truly spectacular!

The fountain of the hill is the most beautiful fountain in the garden. Surprisingly, it is the only fountain that is never on. The fountain looks like it has fallen asleep. Forever. In the middle of the fountain, there is a hill with four arches, one on each side. If you look through one of the arches, you can see two women, back to back (statues, of course). On the top are statues of beasts that have eroded so much they are now unrecognizable. These same statues once spit water into the fountain.

The orange room is the grand throne room of the king. On the top, there is a huge dome that gives the room it’s name. The king stayed there long hours during the day and night, talking with court members, dealing with peasant problems, and eating and drinking. This is my favorite room in the palace. The crisscrossing patterns of the dome has drawn wows from many throats.