The Alcazar of Seville is accessible through the Lion’s Gate located in Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, in front of the Cathedral.
The main entrance to the Alcázar of Sevilla is the Lion Gate, located in the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, just in front of the Cathedral of Seville. This is the only entrance available for visitors on ordinary tours, easily recognizable by the emblem of a lion with a cross over the door.
Although there are other historic gates, such as the Alcoba Gate, these are only used on special occasions, such as concerts or events, and are not open to the general public on regular visits.
How to reach the Lion’s Gate:
– On foot: It is in the old town, next to the Cathedral and Archivo de Indias.
– Subway: Line 1, Puerta de Jerez station.
– Tramway: Line T1, Puerta de Jerez station.
– Bus: Lines 03, 05, A2, C3, 21, 40, 41, among others, with nearby stops at Puerta de Jerez or Jardines del Cristina.
Address: Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, España.
Tips: book tickets for the Real Alcazar online in advance, since the capacity is limited and the demand is usually high.
Basically, you will enter the Alcázar of Seville through the Puerta del León, in the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, in front of the Cathedral.
Lion’s Gate, Reales Alcazares, Seville
The Lion’s Gate is the main entrance to the Real Alcazar of Seville and one of the most emblematic accesses to this monumental site. It is also known as Puerta de la Montería, a name that appears in documents prior to the 19th century and refers to the courtyard to which it gives access, the Patio de la Montería.
Location and entrance
– Located at the northwest end of the Alcazar wall, facing the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, just in front of the Cathedral of Seville and next to the Archivo de Indias (Archive of the Indies).
– After crossing the gate, you enter Patio del León and then Patio de la Montería, from where you enter the Mudejar Palace of Pedro I.
History and Architecture
– The gate was ordered to be opened by King Pedro I in the 14th century, becoming the first Christian gate opened in the walls of the Alcazar.
– It was built on a 12th century Almohad wall, although the current structure suffered later transformations.
– It is 8.5 meters high and flanked by two towers with merlons and a small defensive gate.
The Lion Tile
– The name “Puerta del León” became popular in the 19th century due to the large tile panel depicting a lion on the door lintel.
– The lion appears crowned, carrying a crucifix in the right paw and stepping on a flag with the left. On his chest he wears a band with the Latin motto “Ad utrumque” (“Prepared for any alternative”), a motto used by several Spanish monarchs of the 18th century.
– The lion, symbol of power and defense, is traditional in the iconography of palace entrances since Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Interesting facts
– Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the main gate became the Apeadero gate (today the exit of the tourist route), but the Lion’s Gate recovered its function as the main access in contemporary times.
– The exact origin of the name “Patio de la Montería” is uncertain, although it is associated to hunting scenes or to the function of the king and his hunters to go out to hunt.
Image credit headout.com
