Maria de Padilla Baths at the Real Alcázar
Beneath the golden stones and fragrant gardens of the Real Alcázar of Seville, hidden away from the heat and bustle of the city, lies one of the most captivating and mysterious spaces in Andalusia — the Baños de Doña María de Padilla. These medieval underground rainwater tanks, named after the noblewoman and mistress of King Peter the Cruel, are more than just an architectural marvel. They’re a place where history, light, and legend converge, and where reflection — both literal and metaphorical — fills the air.
In this post, I want to take you inside this magical space and share not only its story, but also the thinking and technique behind my two fine art images taken here: "Reflections of Serenity" and "Maria de Padilla Baths, Real Alcazar". Both are available as limited edition prints, and both were crafted to honour the soul of this iconic site.
The Maria de Padilla Baths are tucked beneath the Patio del Crucero in the Royal Alcázar of Seville, one of the oldest palaces still in use in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While most visitors are enchanted by the dazzling Mudejar architecture above ground — the intricate tilework, lush gardens, and Arabesque archways — it is this quiet subterranean chamber that often leaves the deepest impression.
The baths consist of a series of barrel-vaulted arches stretching across a shallow reflective pool. Originally built in the 13th century as rainwater tanks for palace use, the space took on a new identity after becoming associated with Doña María de Padilla, whose beauty and tragic story captivated the Castilian court. Legend has it that she used these very chambers to bathe in secret, and the association lingers to this day, imbuing the baths with a haunting elegance.
What makes this site so extraordinary is not just the architecture or the legend, but the atmosphere it holds. Cool, dark, and hushed, the baths are a sanctuary — both physically and emotionally. The symmetry of the arches and the stillness of the water invite contemplation. Visitors often fall silent as they descend, awed by the feeling of stepping into a space outside of time.
Photographically, the baths are a dream. Light from above and from side windows creates a subtle, shifting interplay of shadows and highlights. The columns cast perfect reflections on the water, while the tones of the stone walls — from ochre to deep blue — shift depending on the time of day and the available light. It’s one of the few places where the history is not just seen — it is felt.
When I first entered the Maria de Padilla Baths, I was struck by the duality of warmth and coolness, and the theatrical quality of the space. These are the themes I wanted to preserve and heighten in the final prints.
In “Maria de Padilla Baths, Real Alcazar”, I worked to emphasise the natural contrast between the amber tones of the arches and the cerulean blue light filtering in from the alcoves. I positioned myself centrally to align the architecture perfectly, ensuring the reflection mirrored the arch pattern with precision. The result is a symmetrical composition that draws the eye all the way to the back chamber — a journey through light and time.
“Reflections of Serenity” focuses on the lower vantage point, capturing the bath at eye level with the surface of the water. This enhances the sense of immersion and creates a richer abstraction, as if the bath itself were a canvas of mirrored brushstrokes. I slightly cooled the highlights and pushed the vibrance of the golds to give it a luminous, cathedral-like glow, without losing the authenticity of the original light.
In both images, I processed with the intention of respecting the atmosphere of the space. I used selective color grading in Photoshop and subtle sharpening in Nik Collection to draw out texture in the vaulted ceilings. The water reflections were enhanced by balancing clarity and diffusion, keeping them painterly but crisp enough to feel real. The final prints are archival quality, printed on fine art paper to preserve both depth and vibrancy.
