Royal Alcázar of Seville, Spain Oct. 13, 2024

Today we"re stepping into the heart of the historic empire of Islamic Spain. The Royal Alcázar of Seville, in the southern region of Andalusia, stands on the site of a 10th-century citadel, which was expanded over the following 200 years. When Christian forces captured the city in 1248, the Alcázar was almost totally rebuilt in the Mudejar style, which takes inspiration from the intricate patterns and decorative motifs found in Islamic architecture. Within the Alcázar, there are several courtyards lined with delicately carved columns. One of these is the Patio de las Doncellas, or Courtyard of the Maidens, pictured here today.

© Danny Lehman/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

When being in a rut is OK
Oct. 13, 2023Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Oct. 13, 2025Happy Thanksgiving!

More Desktop Wallpapers:

So fresh, so clean
Apr. 6, 2024Japan Castle Day
Jun. 23, 2025Elbe river in Dresden, Saxony, Germany
Grizzly bear and cub
Bridging the gap two ways
The lungs of Earth
Jul. 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish
A public restroom or a tourist spot?
Sep. 1, 2024River Thames, London, England
Oct. 15, 2023European hedgehog
Where is this scenic view?
Aug. 18, 2025Avalanche Lake Trail at Adirondack High Peaks, New York, United States
May 21, 2024International Tea Day
Tomb of the Golden Pharaoh
Oct. 15, 2025National Mushroom Day
Postcard from the Canadian Rockies
Go hug a mountain, if you can
Feb. 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Feb. 18, 2024World Whale Day
A 50-year balancing act
Apr. 1, 2024April Fools Day
May 12, 2025An iris garden in Tokyo, Japan
Aug. 21, 2024Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Straight out of a fairytale
Apr. 23, 2024World Book Day
Jul. 10, 2024Collared aracari
Feb. 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Feb. 1, 2025Rolands Breach, Spain
Aug. 31, 2023Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
Nov. 28, 2025Val Brandet, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy