The Courtyard Of The Maidens In The Real Alcazar In Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Royalty-Free Stock Image

Pictured is the Courtyard of the Maidens in the Real Alcazar in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. Also called the Patio de las Doncellas, it was built in the 13th Century and features sunken gardens lined with famous bitter orange trees of Seville and a reflecting pool. Around the 13th Century, there was a legend that the Muslim emirate of Cordoba demanded 100 virgins annually as tribute from the Christian kings of Andalusia. By the time this courtyard was built, Seville was back under Christian rule. This patio is an architectural monument built in the memory of those fictional virgins.