Sevilla is located
in the middle of Andalucia in the South of Spain. It is the only Spanish city
with an interior port with the capacity to receive large ships. The airport, designed
by the famous architect Rafael Monero, is just 10 kms away. Sevilla's train station
is considered to be one of the best in the country. The AVE high speed train places
Sevilla just 2 and a half hours away from the capital Madrid.
Sevilla
is extremely hot during the summer months with temperatures between 40ºC
and 45ºC. Spring is the best time to visit the city, although winter temperatures
are generally very mild. Like other Andalucian towns Sevilla represents a mixture
of cultures and styles.
The Guadalquivir river divides the city
in two and following the Expo in 1992 has become a symbol of the city once again.
History of Seville
Over its history Sevilla was occupied
by the Fenecians, Greeks and Carthaginians. Later in 205 B.C. it was taken over
by the Romans. It was during the Roman period that buildings such as the a 'Torre
del Oro' were built. The Moors took over the city from the Romans during which
time there was great cultural and economic expansion. Finally in 1248 king Fernando
III de Castilla conquered the city and it became Christian once again
The
Spanish 'Reyes Católicos' were responsible for many of Sevilla's symbolic
buildings such as the Cathedral, the 'Casa de Pilates', the 'Casa de las Dueñas',
the 'Colegiata del Salvador' and 'la Casa de Contratación'.
It wasn't
until the 20th century and the 1929 Expo that Sevilla became the political, cultural
and economic centre of Andalucia.
Walks in Sevilla
There
are 4 important neighbourhoods in Sevilla. Los Arenales and Santa Cruz are the
two where most of the city'simportant historical monuments can be found.
The
Arenales neighbourhood: This is the port area. In the 17th century the river
and port became blocked and it wasn't until the 20th century and the 1992 Expo
that the river was reconditioned and became navegable once again. The bull ring,
the 'Torre de Oro', the Maritime Museum, the Magdalena church and the Avenida
Cristóbal Colón are all located in this nieghbourhood.
The Santa Cruz neighbourhood: This neighbourhood was built on what was
once an old Jewish area. It is a very pleasant area to stroll around. It is characterized
by narrow streets, pretty houses and typical indoor patios. The Giralda, the Cathedral,
the 'Plaza del Triunfo', the 'Reales Alcázares', 'la calle de las Sierpes'
(Sevilla's most famous street) and much more are all located here.
The Triana neighbourhood: This is the oldest part of the city. It is located
to the South of the centre. It has typical narrow, cobbled streets with small
shops selling craftwork. There are also many good tapas bars and restaurants.
Christopher Columbus lived in the Cartujo monastery in the 15th century which
is on the Cartujo island in the middle of the river in this neighbourhood.
The Macarena neighbourhood: This is located to the North of
the city. It is an area full of churches, convents, old bars and many more ancient
buildings. The Andalucian Parliament has its headquarters here.
Things
to do and see in Sevilla
Castles and Palaces:
- Reales
Alcázares and Gardens: In 1364 King Pedro I built his palace upon the
site of a fortress dating back to the Moorish period. It took just two years to
build including the surrounding gardens. Over the years different monarchs added
to the palace and gardens. The most outstanding aspects of the whole complex are:
- The Alcázares gardens: These are made up
of different types of trees, pretty flowers, ponds,fountains, pavillions and
terraces.
- Carlos V Rooms: These consist of bedrooms, a living
room and a Royal chapel all decorated with tiles and 16th century tapestries.
- The Embassador Rooms (Salón de Embajadores): These
rooms date back to 1427 - the vault is very impressive with its intricate golden
wood work.
- Carlos V Palace facade: Mudejar, magnificent
- Patio de las doncellas: You can see very interesting patterns
in the stonework made by artists from Granada.
- Patio del Yeso: This
is an exquisite garden in which the flower beds and water channels dating back
to the original 12th century fortress have been preserved.
- Patio
de la Muñecas: This patio and the connecting rooms make up the
domestic quarters. They get the name from the two faces which are on one of the
arches.
- The Torre del Oro: Avenida de Cristóbal
Colón. Located in the Arenal neighbourhood. In the Moorish period it formed
part of the walled complex of the Reales Alcazares. It was built in 1220 as a
watchtower and there was another identical tower on the otherside of the river,
the two were connected by a chain, something which meant that enemy boats would
be unable to progress up the river. The small tower in the dome was added in 1760.
The tower got its name from the golden tiles which were used to decorate it. The
tower now houses the Maritime Museum.
- The Archbishop's Palace: 16th - 17th century
- Casa de las Dueñas: A 16th century
palace, now the residence of the Duchess of Alba. It has a splendid Andalucian
patio and houses many pieces of art beonging to the family.
- Casa de
Pilatos: Plaza Pilatos, 1. Mudejar style, the residence of the Duke and Duchess
of Mecinacelli. It is a wonderful building with beautiful gardens and charming
patios. It houses an important collection of Roman and Greek sculptures.
- San
Telmo Palace: Avenida de Roma, located in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, opposite
the Alfonso XIII Hotel. It was built in 1682 and was the first naval school in
Spain. In 1849 it became the residence to the Duke and Duchess of Montpensier
(sister to queen Isabel II). Now it is the headquarters of the President of the
Andalucian Autonomous Government. The Baroque, ornate entrance by Figueroa, 1734,
is particularly interesting.
- Condesa de Lebrija Palace: c/
Cuna. This magnificent palace was built in the 15th century. It houses a collection
of sculptures and an Italian mosaic.
- Torre de Don Fabrique: c/ Santa Clara, 40 - this is a defensive tower in a Roman, Gothic style.
Cathedrals and Churches:
- The Cathedral
and the Giralda: The Cathedral, the third largest in the world, was built
between 1402 and 1502 in a Gothic style, upon the remains of an ancient mosque.
The high alter is spectacular consisting of 44 gold panals each carefully inscribed
by Flamencan artists from the 15th and 16th centuries. The remains of Christopher
Columbus were brought here in 1891.
- La Giralda was
built in 1198 originally as a minaret. In 1568 the upper part was renovated by
Hernán Ruiz and it has remained the same ever since.
- El
Patio de los Naranjos is a patio full of orange trees and a fountain where
muslims washed their hands and feet before entering the mosque.
- Iglesia de la Magdalena: c/ San Pablo, 10. This Baroque church was built
by Leonardo de Figueroa in 1709 upon the site of an ancient Mudejar church of
which the Quinta Angustia chapel (to the left of the main entrance) is all that
remains. The frescos by Lucas Valdés are worthy of attention.
- La
Encarnación Convent: Plaza de la virgen de los Reyes. This is also
located in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. It is an Augustian convent founded in
1385 by Fernán Martínez. The 14th century church is in a Mudejar
style.
- Basílica de la Macarena: c/ Béquer, 1. Located
in the Macarena neighbourhood, it is dedicated to the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena.
It was built in a Neobaroque style by Aurelio Gómez Millán. It is
adjoined to the Iglesia de San Gil (13th century).
- Santa Paula
Convent: c/ Santa Paula, 11. This convent dates back to 1475. The building
is a mixture of Mudejar and Renaissance styles. Inside you can see some important
Baroque works of art. The nuns here make some delicious cakes and jams which are
on sale to the public. There is also a museum which houses religious objects and
works of art.
- Parroquia de San Pedro: c/ Doña María
Coronel, 1.This is located in the Macarena neighbourhood. It was built between
the 14th and 15th centuries and you can see a mixture of styles, a Mudejar tower,
a Baroque bell and entrance. Diego Velázquez was baptised here in 1599.
Museums:
- La Cartuja Historical
Centre and the Contemporary Art Museum: Cartuja island, Avenida Américo
Vespucio, 2. Located in the Triana neighbourhood. La Cartuja de Santa María
de las Cuevas, is an ancient monastery founded in 1400 where Christopher Columbus
stayed and worked. In the 19th century it was converted into a ceramics factory.
The building was restored for the 1992 Expo and it now houses the Contemporary
Art Museum.
- The Bellas Artes Museum: Located in what was once
the Merced Convent rebuilt in 1612 by Juan de Oviedo. The three patios full of
fruit trees and flowers are definitely worth a visit aswell as the Baroque church
with its collection of paintings and sculptures some dating back to the middle
ages and many by Spanish artists from the 'Siglo de Oro' such as Murillo, Juan
de Valdés Leal and Zurbarán...
- Carruajes Museum: c/ Virgen de la Consolación, 4. Located in the Cuban Hispanic Institute
which is now Real Club de Enganches de Andalucía. It houses a collection
of carriages, particularly interesting for those interested in horses.
- The
Maritime Museum: Located in the Torre del Oro, Avenida de Cristóbal
Colón, in the Arenal neighbourhood.
Parks and
Gardens:
- María Luisa Park: This park is set within
the grounds of the San Telmo Palace, (see San Telmos Palace above). In 1893 the
area was given to Sevilla for the creation of a park. Jean Forestier, the landscape
designer who designed the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, was given the task of remodelling
the park which formed part of the 1929 Great Exhibition. The most interesting
parts of the park are the Plaza de España and the Plaza de América
where the Art and Popular Customs museum pavillion is situated (Spanish ethnography).
The Archeological Museum is nearby in a Neorenaissance pavillion.
- The
Magic Island Theme Park: Located in the Spanish pavillion on the Cartuja island,
this park recreates 16th century Sevilla. It has lakes, restaurants and much more
for a pleasant day out.
- Cartuja Isand: Located in the Triana neighbourhood
(see La Cartuja Historical Centre above). It was redeveloped for the expo
1992 and now has parks, pavillions, museums and more.
Important
buildings and Monuments:
- La Caridad Hospital: c/ Temprado, 3. Founded in the 15th century by Pedro Sánchez Falconete.
It is now a home for old people. The church is in a Baroque Sevillan style. The
18th century square patio with its Italian statues and fountains stand out together
with a 13th century arch. In the church there are various paintings by some of
the best 16th century artists: Valdés Leal, Murillo…
- The
Town Hall: Plaza Nueva. Located in one of the most important Renaissance buildings
in the whole of Spain. The Western facade is Neoclassic and inside is a mixture
of styles. It houses paintings by Velázquez, Valdés Leal and Zurbarán.
- General de Indias Archive: Avenida de la Constitución.
Located in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, in a 16th century building (1598) designed
by Juan de Herrera. It houses all the documentation related to Christpoher Columbus'
voyage to the new world and the colonization of America. It was king Carlos III
who in 1785 decided to put together the archive which contains 86 million transcripts
and 8000 maps as well as letters by King Felipe II, Christopher Columbus, Hernan
Cortés and Cervantes.
- Hospital de Venerables: Plaza
de los Venerables, 8. Located in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. It was built by
Leonardo Figueroa and opened in 1697. It was formerly used as a home for retired
priests but following renovation it is now used as a Cultural Centre which housing
exhibitions. The Baroque church hospital is particularly interesting with frescos
by Juan de Valdés Leal and his son hijo Lucas Valdés, the sculptures
of San Fernando and San Pedro are by Pedro Roldán.
- The
Tabacco Factory: c/ San Fernando, 4. This factory produced ¾ of the
cigarettes smoked in Europe in the 19th century. It was built between 1728 - 1771
and is the biggest building in Spain following the Escorial. The building now
forms part of Sevilla University.
- La Real Maestranza Bull Ring: Avenida Cristóbal Colón. The bull ring was built in a Baroque style
in 1881 in the Arenal neighbourhood. It is architecturally very beautiful. Together
with Las Ventas in Madrid it is one of the most important bull rings in Spain.
It has a museum inside.
- La Real Maestranza Theatre: This
theatre was built in 1991 by Luis Marín de Terán and Aurelio del
Pozoand. It is the headquarters for the Sevillan Symphonic Orchestra.
Fiestas in Seville:
The most important and famous
fiesta is the Feria de Abril, which takes place two weeks afterEaster
Sunday. Numerous stalls are set up in an area on the outskirts of Sevilla where
people enjoy eating, drinking and traditional Sevillan dancing from 1pm onwards,
sometimes carrying on all night.
Easter Week in Seville: There are
many traditional processions in Sevilla where different groups carry ancient religious
statues through the streets. The most important processions take place on Good
Friday.
Corpus Christi, This is celebrated in May and June depending
on when Easter falls. There are many more local fiestas throughout Andalucia including
the famous Rocio pilgrimage in the days before Pentecost.
Shopping
in Seville: You can buy everything related to horses and horse riding in Sevilla
as well as articles related to Flamenco - dresses, fans, shawls etc. Sevilla also
offers some excellent local products such as wines, cheeses, cold meats, cakes
and pastries and you can get some interesting hand made arts and crafts (the Triana
neighbourhood). There is a Sunday art market outside the Bellas Artes Museum.
Sevillan Cuisine reflects the diversity of the province. Thanks to
local agriculture there are many excellent raw ingredients available such as extra
virgin olive oil and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Typical dishes include
gazpacho, Andalucian stew (chickpeas and vegetables), Flamencan eggs, Sevillan
style beef, Sevillan style duck, prawn salad and spicy potatoes. Sweets and cakes
from Andalucia are also very good and many have Arabic influences.
Advice
for eating out in Sevilla: Tapas is very important to Sevillan cuisine. Good
choices are fried fish, cured ham and other cold meats, grilled prawns and calamares.
One of the best bars to try in Sevilla is Enrique Becerra, c/ Gamazo, 2. But you
will find many excellent small bars tucked away in the Triana, the Remedios and
the Macarena neighbourhoods.
Restaurants in Sevilla:
- La taberna del Alabardero, c/ Zaragoza, 20. (Tel: 954 502 721),
reginal cuisine, both traditional and innovative - recommended.
- La
Montería-Casa Joaquín Márquez, c/ Felipe II, 8 (Tel:
954 241 229), traditional Andalucian cuisine;
- Marea Grande,
c/ Diego Angulo Iñiguez, 16, creative Andalucian cuisine using excellent
quality ingredients.
- Becerrita, c/ Recadero, 9, (Tel: 954
412 057), very good traditional cuisine;
- El Espigón I,
c/ Bogotá, 1, (Tel: 954 239 256), an excellent choice for fish and seafood.
Good meat dishes too.
The best restaurants in Sevilla Province:
- La Alquería, c/ virgen de las Nieves, (Tel: 955 703 344),
with a very good chef this is an excellent choice for traditional Sevillan and
Andalucian cuisine.
- Los Mosaicos: in Santiponce (Tel: 955 998
101) traditional Andalucian cuisine.
- Hotel El Manantial de Roya:
Pº de la Roya, Estepa (Tel: 955 915 718), traditional cuisine from the area.
- Casa Leandra: Avenida Libertad, 19, Mairene del Aljarafe (Tel:
954 188 282) traditional Andalucian cuisine.
- El Rincón de Bernardo:
c/ Silos, 39, Alcalá de Guadaira (Tel: 955 680 691) tapas bar and restaurant
offering good traditional Andalucian cuisine.
- Jarra y Fogones:
c/ Sevilla, 96, Montellano (Tel: 955 831 046) offers both international and traditonal
Andalucian cuisine.
Hotels and Accommodation: See our Guide to hotels in Seville
Areas and villages of interest in the Province
of Sevilla:
- El Aljarafe: A residential area to the West
of Sevilla full of orange groves. It also has a mountain range and salt marshes.
- Santiponce: ITALICA Roman City: This is one of the oldest
Spanish Roman cities founded in 206 B.C. by Escipión El Africano. It was
a very important city in the 2nd and 3rd centuries A.D. Trajano and Adriano were
born here (the latter became an emperor of Rome). However many of the buildings
disappeared during the Moors occupation due to the change in the course of the
Guadalquivir river. Roman remains include the amphitheatre and part of the wall.
All objects which have been found in the remains are kept in Sevilla's Archeological
Museum.
- Umbrete
- Ginés
- Palomares
- La
Campiña: This is an extensive area covering 1/3 of the province with
a lot of archeological remains. It is also an agricultural area.
- Osuna: Iberian walls and Roman settlement. This area became well known in the 16th century
thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Girón who built the Santa Maria Collegiate
in 1539 (it has paintings by José de Riberain) and the University in 1548
- Ecija: Tarteso origins dating back to the 8th century. Roman remains. In 1966 it
became a Historic and Artisitic Centre. It is also known as the 'frying pan of
Spain' given the extremely high temperatures in summer. It has 11 Baroque bell
towers. The Baroque Palaces of Conde de Aguilar and Peñafor are also of
interest.
- Los Molares:
- Utrera: Arabic remains
- Alcalá
de Guadaira: Megaliths.
- Carmona: Things to see include the
remains of Roman settlements and an Arabic fort, an 18th century Renaissance town
hall, the Santa María La Mayor 15th century church built upon a former
mosque of which the patio still remains, the Alcázar de Arriba - a former
palace which is now a National Parador and a Roman cemetery.
- Estepa:
This is an area within Campiña.
- Estepa: Things to see include
walls, an Arabic fortess and a Baroque church with a black and white facade. This
village is also famous for its cakes and pastries.
- Gilena:
- Aguadulce:
A summer holiday resort.
- La Marisma:
- La
Sierra Norte National Park: It has cork oak trees, elm trees, willows and
vultures and eagles and many interesting plants.
- Alanís:
Roman remains
- Cazalla de la Sierra: The Morena Mountain Range runs
between Cordoba and Sevilla to the North of both provinces and forms a barrier
between Extremadura and La Mancha. The most populated area in the province is
Cazalla de la Sierra which is a popular weekend retreat for Sevillans.
- Constantina: This is a very peaceful area with some beautiful
scenery located to the Southwest of the province next to the Cazalla mountain
range.
- Guadalcanal
- El Ronquillo: An
area with lakes and reservoirs.
- La Puebla de los Infantes
- Las
Navas de la Concepción: A hunting and fishing area also good for hiking
and bird watching.
- San Nicolás del Puerto: Remains of a
Celtic settlement Iporci, later called Villa Fortunada by the Romans.
- La Sierra Sur: Some very high mountains (1100 metres). Archeological remains
dating back to the Bronze age. Ideal for mountain sports: hiking, horse riding,
cycling, fishing, hunting etc...
- The Peñón de Zaframagón
Nature Reserve
- Martín de la Jara: La Laguna del
Gosque Nature Reserve, a safe haven for water birds, also the Castellar
Cave.
- Morón de la Frontera: It has an early Christian
Visigothic church.
- Pedrera: La Cruz mountain range and the Arroyo
del Buho (thermal waters).
- El Coronil: Medieval military architecture
- Pruna
and Algamitas: This is where the highest mountains in the Tablón mountain
range can be found: El Terril 1129 metres and el Peñón de Algamitas
at 1100 metres.
- La Vega:
- Alcalá del
Río
- Alcolea del Río
- La Algaba
- Tocina
| Travelling to Sevilla?
The following links may also be useful |
| Guides provinces bordering
with Seville and beautiful
places in Spain nearby
|
|
|
Travel guides to Spain
