Hispacar Travel Guides - Seville, Andalusia

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Seville

Seville, the capital city of Andalusia is probably one of the best places to experience the Andalusian lifestyle in its purest form. Seville is known worldwide for its annual fair (Feria) and the passionate celebration of the Holy Week (Semana Santa). Its monuments and heritage of architecture and art can only be rivalled by places like Cordoba or Granada. Here are 10 places you should not miss during your holidays in Seville.

1. The cathedral of Seville

1. A former mosque converted into a cathedral

The cathedral of Seville stands on the site of a former Muslim mosque. The decorative brick tower known as the Giralda was the minaret of the mosque. The Patio de los Naranjos, the former courtyard of the mosque is located on the northern side of the cathedral. The monumental tomb of Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) can be found inside the cathedral of Seville.

2. Plaza de España

2. Neo-Mudéjar Architecture

The Plaza de España was built in 1929 when the city of Seville hosted the Ibero-American Exposition World's Fair. The most outstanding building which can be found at the Plaza de España is the semicircular brick-and-tile construction with a tower at each end. A spectacular fountain is situated in the center of the plaza. The Plaza de España has been used in several movies like Starwars or Lawrence of Arabia.

3. Torre de Oro

3. An Almohad watchtower on the river banks

The Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) is an Arab watchtower from the thirteenth century constructed on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. Together with the Giralda it is one of the architectural symbols of the city. It was used to store the booty of the soldiers who returned from the spanish colonies in South America. From the viewing platform the sights of the city and the river are fantastic.

4. Parque María Luisa

4. Seville's principal green are

The Parque de María Luisa is Seville's principal green area that stretches along the Guadalquivir River. The grounds of the park were donated to the city by the Duchess of Montpensier. The Ibero-American Exposition which was hosted by Seville in the year 1929 which was celebrated partly within park grounds. Numerous ponds and fountains like the Estanque de los Lotos and the Fuente de los Leones can be found in the park.

5. Guadalquivir

5. The great river

The Guadalquivir is more than 650 kilometers long and the only great navigable river in Spain. The name Guadalquivir comes from the Arabic al wadi al kabir meaning the great river. Although in Roman times it was navigable all the way up to Córdoba currently it is only navigable to Seville. The economical development of Seville has always been closely related with the river.

6. Semana Santa

6. Holy Week in Seville

The Semana Santa de Sevilla (Holy Week) is one of the most important religious events in southern Spain. During the Holy Week processions are organized by religious brotherhoods and the city is crowded with visitors and tourists. The processions which represent scenes of the events of the Passion take place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday morning.

7. Feria de Sevilla

7. Seville April Fair

The Feria de abril de Sevilla (April Fair) usually begins two weeks after the Holy Week. Each day during the Fair a bullfight take place in the Real Maestranza. The fairgrounds on the banks of the Guadalquivir River are with tents (casetas) where the people from Seville, dressed up in Flamenco dresses gather to dance the typical Sevillanas, eat tapas or drink local wine from Jerez.

8. Puente Alamillo

8. Linking Seville's past and present

The Alamillo bridge which spans the Canal de Alfonso XIII was constructed as part of the improvements to the infrastructure of the city of Seville during the celebration of the Expo 92. Designed by the famous spanish architect Santiago Calatrava the goal was to create a modern bridge of symbolic importance linking the historical Seville with the image of a much more modern capital of Andalusia.

9. Doñana National Park

9. A wetland unique in Europe

Doñana National Park is a natural reserve in the provinces of Seville and Huelva. It is an area of sand dunes, marsh and shallow streams in the delta of the Guadalquivir River known as Marismas in spanish. Doñana is a unique wetland of international importance with a biodiversity that is unique in Europe. It is therefor no wonder that the UNESCO has designated the park the status of a Biosphere reserve.

10. Popular daytrips

10. The heritage of Al Andalus

For lovers of culture and history the most interesting daytrips from Seville are the cities of Cordoba and Granada. If you choose to visit Cordoba, the largest city of Spain during the Al Andalus period a visit to the Cathedral, the roman bridge and the jewish quarter is a must. Visitors to Granada should not miss the Alhambra and the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods.

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These are just 10 good reasons to visit Seville, but there are many more reasons to visit Andalusia. Why don't you find out yourself?