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Today, we bring you a visit to the museum full of Mudejar artifacts. It is by no means a huge museum. Nonetheless, it is worth visiting. One great thing about the Centro del Mudejar is that it is housed in an old palace by the name of Palacio Marqueses de Algaba, and has been re-purposed.
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After being here for a while, you start to understand not just how vast the Moorish kingdom extended, but also how immensely rich Seville was in the old days. I had thought that the Alcazar was the only one that was in Seville. Nope! not by a long shot. The city actually houses several magnificent palaces.
Museums in Seville: Centro de Mudejar
Centro del Mudejar:
If you will remember from the Alcazar post, l had talked briefly of the Mudejar population. Those were the Muslims from Andalusia who remained in the region after the Christians came into power. They did not convert to Christianity like the others, and were allowed to live among the Christians but had to pay tributes. They were eventually expelled.
All told, the total building industry in those times comprised of about 65% of Mudejars, with 40% of them being master builders and bricklayers. You can see why they had no problems allowing them to stay from the beauty of these discovered antiquities.
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Seville Palace:
This palace was built in 1474 by Juan de Guzman, who was the first lord of Algaba. Over the years, it has changed hands, and has been at various times, a theater and open air cinema. Like a lot of other ancient places, it also fell into decline. The city of Seville eventually opened the palace back up in 2013 as the Centro del Mudejar on the second floor of the premises. Research and government offices occupy the rest of the palace.
It is typical Moorish design, just like the Alcazar, with the open courtyard and the four sides. I love the fact that all these old places are being put to good use. D. actually told us that one of these palaces is now being used as an old folks home, pretty cool! 🙂 .
Sevilla Turismo: Centro del Mudejar
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The Centro de Mudejar museum houses an interesting collection of Moorish pottery, such as jars, vases and serving pieces, some dating as far back as the 15th century. It displays work by woodsmen and artisans.
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There are things such as wooden arches and scones, fragments of plaster from a convent and different tiles of intricate design. It is definitely worthy of a visit if you are in Seville. This might sort of be the cheap way of seeing the Alcazar without paying that entry fee. Yes, it’s not as ostentatious, and you don’t get to see as many of the rooms, or the grounds, but the palace design is the same.
I’m almost thinking that l might skip the Alhambra to tell you the truth 🙂 . After seeing the Alcazar, as well as the Bahia palace in Marrakesh, l really don’t think l would be missing much. It seems like it would literally be more of the same. If l am wrong, enlighten me 🙂 . The Mudejar style continues to be used in construction, and the Plaza de Espana which l had written about previously, is a fine example.
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This fascinating Seville museum is in the Macarena neighborhood of the old town, around the calle Feria area. It’s not hard to find, very centrally located, and would take an hour of your time. If you time your visit right, you would get to visit the famous Omnium Sanctorum (All Saints) church that is located right behind the museum (closed on Tuesdays, which of course was the day that we visited 🙁 ).
The church was built on the grounds of an ancient mosque, and has its own little belfry, reminiscent of the Giralda. It makes for a lovely afternoon. On Thursdays, there is the most famous flea market in Seville held there, happening since the 13th century!. You can spend some time wandering around the little tiny streets and check out the merchants selling their wares, and the little shops selling not just touristy souvenirs but one of a kind items.
Is Centro del Mudejar Seville worth visiting?
If you’re a fan of history, I would recommend visiting the Centro del Mudejar . It is one of the top things to see in Seville and the fact that it’s rarely crowded makes it even more of a must see in the Macarena neighbourhood. You can’t beat the price of admission and it gives you an insight to the history of the Moors and how their influence is still evident today.
The best part is that there is very little crowd and you will often have the whole place to yourself so you can spend as much time as you want. There are often events in the garden so you can see the government in action as well.
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Centro del Mudejar hours:
Monday – Friday 10AM-2PM and 5PM-8PM
Saturdays: 10AM – 2PM
***Admission price for Centro del Mudejar is free!***
What do you think of this museum in Seville? would you add it to the list of must see if you come to Seville? Have you visited the Alhambra or the Alcazar? If so, what did you think?
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Another great place that looks perfect as a Game of Thrones set. 🙂 And it’s interesting to know how, in the past, religion allowed for certain people to still be there if they were useful. I guess that’s how things still go everywhere…
Every place around here looks like it would be great for GOT :-), at least in Seville center. I’m sure as happy as the Christians were to conquer the city finally after trying two or three times, they still realized that it was wise to keep them around for the construction work. Yep! The more things change, the more they stay the same :-).
I love popping into museums like this…ESPECIALLY when they are free! Nothing to lose, right?! My sister is an archeology student, so I’m sure she’d be totally into this stuff!
There’s nothing like free is there 🙂 . I really liked this place, and yep! your sister would love it here. Amazing pottery, and all in good condition too after thousands of years! A palace setting to boot, and you can’t go wrong!!!
I want to live in a palace for an old folks home… in Spain… this sounds amazing. I guess I will have to live to a ripe old age then. 🙂
I would also love to live in a re-purposed palace! I think it would be so awesome getting wheeled out to the courtyard for some sum 🙂
Looks interesting Kemkem, beautiful building. Love that Moorish architecture. We’ll make it to Seville one of these days!
Frank (bbqboy)
I’m sure you will make it down here soon enough 🙂 . Yeah.. it’s a really cool building, and very interesting stuff that has withstood the test of time. I enjoyed it.
Looks amazing, and that they actually “use” the buildings is great and fun. We haven’t made it further South than Elche. Saving Seville. We often like the smaller versions of the bigger versions. Did that make sense? Like how you mention that you may not go to the Alhambra because you’ve seen great stuff that is similar but lesser known. Terri
It makes perfect sense. It’s always nice to discover smaller places, especially when they mimic what you can get in other bigger destinations :-). For instance, l am really having a hard time feeling the Alhambra now like l said. From friends who have been there, it’s basically a bigger Alcazar, which is plenty big to me already. I have to check out Elche, l’ve never heard of it. Oooh..so many places still left to discover 🙂 .
My hubby loves palm trees and Elche has a neat grove of palm trees planted by the Moors. So we had a great time wondering through the grove. We also had a blast up in Girona too. Just so many fond memories of Spain.
Loving those Moors. Elche looks beautiful. Glad you have such fond memories 🙂 .
Just love that Moorish design; I want those tiles! A museum and a flea market sound like the perfect afternoon to me 🙂
Hahah! I always say l want the tiles whenever l see them. You know my very first house was a Spanish house (nouveau Spanish) and l loved it, but l wished it had more traditional tiles. They are so cool. Yep, when we finally get around to seeing the museum, l want to go on a Thursday which is when the flea market happens.
Free admission? The Centro del Mudejar definitely sounds like the kind of museum I would like to visit, it is a lesson in history that is easy on the pocket.
I know, my ears perked up when l heard it was free! I really enjoyed it too, which made it a really great deal! 🙂