A visit to the beautiful Casa de Carmona, Carmona, Seville – Gardens and Parks
The Gardens and Parks of Seville
Seville has long been one of our favourite cities, and just 30 km East of the City, can be found Casa de Carmona. A delightful family run establishment, headed up by the ever welcoming Felipe Guardiola Medina, Casa remains the perfect base for exploring Seville. Staying here will immerse you in the romantic history of Moorish culture, in the beautiful Casa de Carmona, a historical XVIth Century palace with a magical ambiance. Enchanting patios with lush plants and the soothing sound of the fountains, grand drawing rooms, unique antiques and works of art inherited through generations and exquisite decoration provide an atmosphere of sheer opulence.
Not only is the palace itself a triumph of uniquely Moorish architecture, but the beautiful private gardens make staying here extra special. At the centre of the hotel is a traditional enclosed Arabic courtyard garden, a shady and green oasis at the very heart of the building. Outside are two carefully tended gardens, with orange trees surrounding the pool, marble colonnades and the rich fragrance of flowers, creating an atmosphere of utter enchantment.
Casa de Carmona’s gardens reflect Seville’s Moorish heritage, where the garden was afforded great importance as a space designed to emulate paradise. Perhaps the best known example of the traditional Arabic garden is to be found at the Alhambra, but the real home of some of Europe’s oldest and most gracious gardens can be found right here in Seville. So to experience the gardens and parks of Seville for yourself, here’s a guide to the best.
The Gardens of the Real Alcázar Palace
Originally a Moorish fort and now a UNESCO World Heritage Destination, a visit to The Alcazar is like tumbling down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole straight into the Moorish and medieval past. We strolled around the gardens to discover a diversity of gardens with different styles and influences, from French to Arab, all seamlessly inter-connected. Intimate Moorish courtyards, decorated with intricate Mujedar tiles, reflect Arabic arches in still and shimmering pools of water. Whispering fountains, lush green ferns, shady passages, bowers and orange groves, are scented with the sweet and delicate fragrances of orange blossom, jasmine and bougainvillea, creating an added evocative delight to the experience. These gardens truly are a paradise in the heart of Seville, but be sure to visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Parque de María Luisa
The Maria Luisa Park is the largest park in Seville and amongst one of the most beautiful in Europe. Stretching alongside the Guadalquivr river, the park was originally the grounds of the Palace of San Telmo, but was extensively redesigned for the exposition of 1929. Described as being in the typical ‘Moorish paradisical style,’ with grand boulevards, pavilions, ponds, half a mile of exquisitely tiled fountains, orange groves, palms, and bowers, time spent here is indeed heavenly. You may even glimpse some of the large population of doves who have made this park home, or green parrots flitting through the trees. At this time of year in the spring, the orange blossoms are especially beautiful, and as we attempted to capture their beauty with a photograph, I was particularly moved by an elderly man, who plucked a blossom for me. Not being something that ever happens in Hyde Park, I couldn’t help but feel very touched, and for one little moment, felt like a true ‘Bonita.’Ah, if only!
We took a Horse and Carriage ride through the park, before finishing up at the Plaza de España, a grand square flanked by a magnificent building in the ‘mock Mudejar’ style. Originally built on the edge of the park to showcase Spain’s industry and technology exhibits for the expo of 1929, and latterly as a set for Lawrence of Arabia, the Plaza is a superb example of Seville’s love affair with striking Moorish architecture. Close by is the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Sevilla in the Mudejar Pavilion, a great place to see some of the beautiful artefacts produced in this area over the centuries.
The Alamillo Park on the Isla de la Cartuja is also a popular attraction in Seville. With 47 hectares of Mediterranean plants and flowers, two lakes, a botanical gardens, varied wildlife, a miniature train and lots of play facilities, this park is very popular with families. While it lacks the atmosphere of the formal Moorish gardens, the park remains an oasis of greenery close to the city centre. During June and July you can enjoy flamenco performances and concerts held in the park as part of the Alamillio cultural festival.
Casa De Pilatos
A former Andalucian Palace in Seville also in the Mudejar style, the gardens of the Casa de Pilatos are reminiscent of those of the Italian renaissance. Located next to the Plaza de Pilatos, between Santa Cruz and Macarena, this beautiful and intimate garden combines Moorish detail and architecture with Italian style classical elegance. Bursting with flowers, the garden is especially beautiful in May when the roses are in bloom.
Stay at Casa de Carmona any time of the year to enjoy these magical gardens. Reservations on +34 608 090 803