Seville

Seville is the capital of Andalusia and the fourth most populated city in Spain. The city is more than two thousand years old. The passage of the various cultures instrumental in its growth has left the city with a distinct personality, and a large and well-preserved historical centre.

History

The city was known from early Roman times as “Hispalis”. The nearby Roman city of Italica is well-preserved. It gives an impression of how Hispalis may have looked in the later Roman period. Existing Roman features in Seville include the remnants of an aqueduct.

After successive conquests of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica by the Vandals and Visigoths, in the 5th and 6th centuries, the city was taken by the Moors. In 712 it became an important centre in Muslim Andalusia.

It remained under Muslim control, under the authority of the Umayyad, Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, until falling to Fernando III in 1248. The city retains many Moorish features, including large sections of the city wall.

Following the Reconquest, the city’s development continued, with the construction of public buildings including churches, many in Mudéjar style.

Later, the city experienced another golden age of development brought about by wealth accumulating from the awarding of a monopoly of trade with the Spanish territories in the New World. After the silting up of the Guadalquivir, the city went into relative economic decline.

What to see

Due to this melting pot of cultures that have passed through the city since Roman times, Seville has an enormous variety of monuments and places of great beauty. They kind of turn its historic centre into an open-air museum.

If you decide to visit Seville, be warned: One day will not be enough to see and enjoy all that this lively Andalusian city has to offer. To give you an idea, here are the most important places and monuments:

• Giralda
• Cathedral
• Reales Alcázares
• The Golden Tower (Torre de Oro)
• Patio de los Naranjos
• The Maestranza
• Plaza de España
• Maria Luisa Park

But there are so many more such as: Teatro de la Maestranza, Palacio de San Telmo, Archivo de Indias, the Archbishop’s Palace, the Tobacco Factory, the Town Hall, the Palacio de las Dueñas, the Tower of Don Fadrique. Furthermore the City Walls, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Alameda de Hércules. And last not least, the bridges over the Guadalquivir and the Cartuja and the installations of Expo 92.

Typical Districts

You shouldn’t miss the typical Santa Cruz neighbourhood in the heart of the historic centre either. Wander through its labyrinthine streets and discover the architectural and historical treasures.

Don’t miss the bars and cafés where you can have a drink and watch life go by.

Or visit the Triana neighbourhood. It is a picturesque and typical neighbourhood where you can discover beautiful handicrafts, eat well, have a drink and enjoy authentic flamenco.

If you like shopping, you’ll find both emblematic shops and international brands on Calle Sierpes. This pedestrianised street is Seville’s main shopping artery.

Taste Andalusian tradition and typicality

Seville also stands out for its Andalusian tradition and typicality. It is easy to find good Flamenco and Spanish guitar shows in the numerous “tablaos” or in the “peñas” of the neighbourhoods.

The April fair in Seville is one of the most popular, multitudinous and lively in Andalusia (together with the Malaga fair in August).

Another key date in Seville is the Semana Santa (Holy Week), which is lived by the locals with great fervour and emotion.

Weather in Seville – When to travel

If you want to enjoy all the beautiful things this city has to offer, we strongly advise against travelling there in July and August.

The city is inland and during these months it suffers from very high temperatures (around 40ºC) which don’t cool down much at night either.