Palacio de Altamira, Medieval palace in Santa Cruz district, Seville, Spain.
Palacio de Altamira is a palace building from the late 14th century in Seville's old city with two connected sections arranged around a central courtyard. The walls and rooms display Mudéjar architectural features including carved plasterwork, wooden ceilings with detailed carving, and decorative tile patterns.
A noble named Diego López de Stúñiga commissioned this palace in the late 14th century in an area near the medieval Jewish quarter. The building passed through different owners over the centuries before eventually becoming a public institution.
This palace served as a statement of power for noble families who displayed their wealth through its ornate surfaces and fine craftsmanship. Walking through the courtyards and rooms today, you can see how the building reflected the status and taste of those who occupied it.
The building is generally difficult to access without advance planning since it operates primarily as a government office rather than a museum. Plan to visit during scheduled tour times when the interior is open to the public and book your spot ahead of time.
The palace currently houses the offices of Andalusia's regional culture department, making it one of the few historic palaces still actively used as a government headquarters. This dual function as both a heritage site and working administrative center is uncommon and shows how older buildings adapt to modern needs.
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