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ALCAZAR HISTORY: The Capital of the Segovia Province in central Spain, ALCARZAR DE SEGOVIA stands high atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Above the confluence of the Eresma and Clmores rivers, King Alfonso VI of Castile built the castle in the 11th century based upon the Moorisg Castle, Alcazar of Toledo. It was rebuilt in the 1300’s and became the residence of Castilian kings over the next several centuries, During the 15th and 16th centuries the castle was modified considerably from its original form. King John II added a massive square tower with a dozen cylindrical minarets to the castle’s central keep. I the late 16th century, King Philip II drastically altered the Moorish architectural influence with a more Germanic style.

The castle’s interior is lavishly decorated with rich alabaster floors, polychrome inlays and stunning-gold gilt ornamentation. Fire severely damaged the castle in 1862, leaving only the outer walls and King John II’s tower unscathed. A massive restoration was completed three decades later, and left the castle reminiscent of the stylish Bavarian “fairy tale” type castles. It was at Alcazar that King John I created the Christian calendar and that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand received Christopher Columbus to finance his exploratory voyage to America.

Here are some more interesting photos of the gardens at Alcazar, and some of the interior.

http://www.infocordoba.com/spain/andalusia/cordoba/photos/cordoba_photos_alcazar.htm