Featured Snippet
The Patio del Yeso represents the earliest architectural phase of the Alcázar, built during the Almohad rule in the 12th century. Its elegant horseshoe arches, carved stucco panels, and geometric proportions reveal the refined aesthetics of Islamic palatial design. Preserved after centuries of modifications, the patio provides invaluable insight into how the medieval rulers of al-Andalus conceived space, light, and symmetry. Restorations have brought back details long hidden by later constructions. Today, it stands as a quiet, contemplative corner where visitors can connect with the origins of the Alcázar before Christian kings transformed it.
Extended version
A surviving treasure from the 12th century, hidden in plain sight
Before the Christian kings, before the Mudéjar palace, before the Renaissance expansions—there was the Almohad Alcázar. The Patio del Yeso, dating from the 12th century, is one of the few surviving parts of that early palace, and walking into it feels like stepping back almost a millennium.
The courtyard features elegant horseshoe arches, delicate plasterwork, and geometric decorations typical of Almohad architecture. Its proportions are simple yet harmonious, reflecting a style that valued balance and spiritual geometry. This aesthetic later influenced the Giralda, the city walls, and many surviving Islamic structures in Seville.
For centuries, the Patio del Yeso was hidden within later constructions. Only modern archaeological work uncovered its full form, revealing an extraordinary example of medieval Islamic architecture preserved inside a living royal residence.
The space is calm and intimate—less visited than other sections—and still retains the quiet atmosphere of an early Islamic palace. Here you can clearly understand how the Alcázar was not built all at once but layer upon layer, each era adding beauty without erasing the past.
Our guides reveal this forgotten chapter of the Alcázar’s history, helping visitors understand how the monument evolved across empires and centuries. With skip-the-line entry and clear audio narration, you enjoy a complete, effortless experience.
Book-now with 13% OFF and save 8,14€ and enjoy Seville with expert local guides.
mini FAQ
- How old is the Patio del Yeso?
From the 12th-century Almohad period.
- Why is it important?
It preserves the earliest Islamic architecture of the Alcázar.
- What can visitors see?
Stucco decoration, arches, and the original courtyard layout.