Contents Latest news Future Projects Chantemerle Hennemont Dip into the past History page Swannington Cousins Christine Party Marie-Charlotte Alexander Catherine Christine Nicholas	We emerged into bright sunshine, surprised that there were no huge crowds of tourists. A few here and there, but not many....So there was no queue to speak of to enter the famous ALCAZAR by the Lion's Gate. We entered paradise. The very first courtyard was tranquil  in the softest of sunlights, birds singing and a few visitors walking quietly about. We were enchanted by the plasterwork in the first room, off left from the courtyard called the Hall of Justice.But for me, the great moment early on was to stand in the 'Casa de la Contracion', which I have been talking about to pupils since 1973! "The Indies trade was organised and regulated from the Casa de la Contracion in Seville," I must have said nearly fifty times now. I had no idea what, physically, I was talking about. And now, here I was, in the room (photo); What on earth went on here? Signing forms? Paying bills? Complaining about restrictions? Being fined? Registering ships? I could see it all, there, nearly five hundred years ago.........
Spain1 Spain2 Spain3 Spain5	But from the point of view of the Alcazar, the 'Casa de la Contracion' is simply a prelude. The magic starts when you enter the Palacio de don Pedro and especially the Patio de las Doncellas. This chap Pedro I was quite something and I'm ashamed to say I knew nothing about him. He is clearly the hero, or one of the heroes of the Christian reconquista, and if we knew more about him, I am sure El Cid would pale into insignificance. Not that he was a particularly nice chap, mind. You wouldn't think you were in a Christian palace but you are. Don Pedro had it built by the same architects and artisans that had worked up in Granada and so there is a lot in common between the two. Beautiful, intricate stonework. Shapes and patterns that enchant the eye. The patio is dug up at the moment - perhaps forever since they have found the Roman bits on top of which it was built. Frankly it's a mess and I think I would have preferred to see the stone slabs of the Pedro era rather than the archaeological dig that's going on. Still, it's interesting to see what's under. The two parts which...