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Cities of Andalucia
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Cities of Spain
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last update:
10-09-2010 16:00uur
Sevilla / Seville
Seville is the capital of the Spanish province of Seville and also
capital of the autonomous region of Andalucia.
The landscape is determined by the Guadalquivir, which crosses the
entire city. In Seville there is a Spanish Mediterranean climate which
means very hot summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature
of Seville lies between 16 and 18 degrees.
History of Sevilla
/ Seville
Archaeological remains have been found which date from the Neolithic
period in Seville. The history of the city of Seville begins with the
founding of Seville by tribes from Roman. The city of Seville was
eventually colonized by the Phoenicians, the Greeks and the
Carthaginians.
Around 205 BC, Seville was conquered by the Romans. Cesar made Sevilla
(in Roman Hispalis) the capital of Andalucia and gave Seville the status
of Roman colony. Emperor Augustus gave Sevilla the right to produce
their own coins.
After a number of Germanic invasions, the Moors eventually took
possession of Seville in the year 712. They called the city Isbiliya
which ultimately led to the name Sevilla. During the Arab domination
Sevilla underwent many changes. Thus, between 1172 and 1182 the great
mosque was built in Seville.
In 1248 Ferdinand the third captured the city of Sevilla and made
Seville capital of the kingdom. Seville also established the monarchy in
Spain from that point of time.
A new period of economical growth came for Sevilla, something which is
put through during the reign of Charles the Fifth and Philip the second.
The cathedral and the university were built during this period in
Seville.
The Port of Seville, arrival and departure point of many expeditions to
and from the "new world" has certainly played an important role for the
growth of Seville. The establishment (1503) of the Casa de Contratación
de las Indias (Chamber of Commerce) in Seville made Seville the center
of the world. Sevilla and his population grew from 60,000 to 150,000
inhabitants in 1558. Halfway the 17th century the decline of Seville
began. Reinforced by the outbreak of a plague epidemic in 1649, which
meant that about 60,000 people died in Seville, and the relocation of
the Casa de Contratación from Seville to Cadiz, the city slowly slipped
away. It was untill the 19th century would restore that Seville would
restore from all of this.
Sightseeing in Seville
The city of Seville is divided into 5 districts, El Arenal, Santa Cruz,
La Macarena, Parque Maria Luisa Triana and the area on the other side of
the Guadalquivir.
El Arenal,
Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. This arena
in Seville has been listed as one of the finest in Spain. The arena
dates from 1761 - 1881 and a tour gives everyone a good picture of what
bullfighting exactly is. The arena of Seville can be visited by 12,500
visitors. Under the arena of Seville there is a museum and from there
you can get a tour through the arena. The museum gives you a history of
bullfighting, whith posters and costumes to see and even a purple, cape
painted by Picasso, is to be seen here in Seville. Through the
Enfermería (the first aid station) you arrive first at the chapel, where
the matadors pray for victory, and in the stables of the Picador. The
bullfighting season starts in Seville on Easter Sunday and ends late
October. Tickets, most fights are held in Seville on Sunday, are sold at
the office in the Arena of Seville.
Torre del Oro. The tower del oro, the
golden tower, was built in 1220 as part of the walls of Seville. This
tower, together with his counterpart on the other side of the river,
aimed to protect the port of Seville. Besides a function as a watchtower
it was also the chain between the two towers that protected hostile
ships entering the port of Seville. This tower was, besides as a
watchtower in Seville, also used as chapel, prison, gunpowder warehouse
and port offices. Currently, the museum maritimo Seville established
herein.
Hospital de la Caridad. The Hospital de la
Caridad in Seville was founded in 1674 as a hospital, and currently a
part of this continues to serve the elderly and as a nursing home.
Opposite the Hospital de la Caridad is the statue of Don Juan, the
Miguel Manara, in Seville. This founder of the Hospital de la Caridad
led a dissolute and amorous life until, after a vision of his own
funeral he penitented. He inspired both Mozart and Moliere in their
work. The facade of the church of the Hospital de la Caridad in Seville
is a beautiful example of baroque style. The whitewashed walls are
surrounded with stones and framed with terracotta tiles (mosaic of
stones). Inside the hospital de la caridad are 2 patios, plant-filled
with 18th-centurytiles from Holland and with a fountain from Italy
giving it a very atmospheric character. In the Hospital de la Caridad in
Seville are many works to admire.
Museo de Bellas Artes. The Museo de Bellas
Artes in Seville is located in a former monastery built in 1612 around 3
patios. The Museo de Bellas Artes holds an impressive collection of art
dating from the period of the Middle Ages to the contemporary. Much
emphasis is placed on the work of artists from the school of Seville.
Santa Cruz.
Hospital de los Venerables. The Hospital de
los Venerables in Seville was originally founded as a home for priests.
The building dates from 1675 and is now a cultural center in Seville.
The Hospital de los Venerables is located around a central patio.
Via stairs one can reach the upper floor that currently together with
the basement are used as exhibition spaces. A separate tour of the
hospital de los Venerables Seville goes to church with its magnificent
frescoes.
Casa de Pilatos. In 1520 the Marquis of
Tarifa left this house, his house, built after he had been traveling and
was impressed by the architecture which he saw in Italy after the
Renaissance was founded. The house is named after Pontius Pilate,
because it would appear on his house in Jerusalem. The casa Pilatos in
Seville is built around a courtyard, the apeadero (yard for coaches).
This apeadero is decorated with beautiful mosaics and surrounded by
Gothic arcades and balustrades. In the center is a large fountain and in
the corners of the casa Pilatos in Seville are 3 Roman statues. Inside
the casa Pilatos in Seville there is also a garden with a bronze statue
of Bacchus, a chapel, loggias and many beautiful rooms. Casa Pilatos in
Seville, certainly worth more than a visit.
The Cathedral of Seville and La Giralda. At
the place where in the 12th century a mosque was built in 1401 the
cathedral was built. Read more over La
Giralda, the bell tower, and the patio de los Naranjos.
Real Alcazar. In 1364 was decided to built
a royal palace within the existing residence building. Craftsmen from
Granada and Toledo made a beautiful complex of patios and corridors.
Over the centuries the various rulers of Seville and this real alcazar
made a magnificent complex with beautiful gardens. Part of the floors is
still used by the Spanish royal family. Besides these floors it is
accessible to the public.
La Macarena
Convento de Santa Paula. The Convento de
Santa Paula in Seville is one of the many religious complexes in Seville
but also one of the few that can be visited in Seville. The monastery
was founded in 1475 to give shelter to 40 nuns. Of course, in the
Convento de Santa Paula in Seville many religious works can be seen. In
the cloister the nuns relax in the afternoon and they make many kinds of
jams and marmalades which are for sale. By crossing a garden you reach
the church of the Convento de Santa Paula in Seville.
Iglesia de San Marcos. The Iglesia de San
Marcos in Seville dates from the 14th century. The tower is a converted
minaret and during the restoration in 1936, the interior was destroyed
by fire, a few horseshoe shaped arches were exposed. Behind the Iglesia
de San Marcos in Seville is the Convento de Santa Isabel which had been
used in the 19th century as the women's prison in Seville.
Parlamento de Andalucia / Hospital de las cinco
llagas. The parliament of Andalucia is in the hospital de las
cinco llagas (hospital of 5 wounds ). In 1540 the construction began on
what would be Europe's largest hospital and the building was completed
in 1613. In 1993 they restored the building for the parliament of
Andalucia. The former church, located centrally in the Hospital de las
cinco llagas in Seville, is currently service all meeting rooms.
Basilica de la Macarena. The Basilica de la
Macarena in Seville was built in 1949, primarily as a shelter for the
Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena. The virgin was until 1936 housed in the
adjacent Iglesia de San Gil that was hit by a fire. The image of the
Virgin stands above the altar, surrounded by a cascade of gold and
silver. In the treasury of the Basilica de la Macarena in Seville robes
are seen by famous bullfighters that have been worn and donated. Also,
the jewels and the floats used during the Semana Santa in Seville,
including a silver portable, can be admired.
Parque Maria Luisa.
Hotel Alfonso 13th. Hotel Alfonso the 13th
in Seville is one of the most luxurious hotels in Seville. It was built
between 1916 and 1928 and is richly decorated with wrought iron, mosaics
and stonework. In the middle a large fountain decorates the large patio,
surrounded by orange trees. The bar and restaurant are also open to non
hotel guests.
Universidad. The University of Seville is a
part of the buildings of the former Real Fabrica de Tabacos. In the 19th
century 3 / 4 of all European made cigars were made here. This factory
in Seville is after El Escorial in Madrid the largest building in Spain.
The complex was built between 1728 and 1771. The cigarreras who worked
in these factories were the model for the Bizet opera Carmen. In this
complex many items can be visited such as towers, a moat, a prison, a
chapel and several patios that are now in a different destination
specified.
Parque Maria Luisa. The Parque Maria Luisa
in Sevilla was named after Princess Maria Luisa of Orleans who in 1893 a
part of its territory gave to the city of Seville. Many of the buildings
in the park were built for the exhibition of 1929. This exhibition aimed
to put Andalusia and Seville on the world map. Many in the form of
ceramic vases, fountains and benches grace the park. Central to the
parque Maria Luisa in Sevilla is an octagonal fountain which is guarded
by ceramic lions. This fountain was inspired by the fountain on the
patio de los Leones in the Alhambra in Granada.
The plaza de Espagna, that is a half round
square, the Museo de artes y costumbres populares and the Museo
Arqueológico are also well worth a visit.
Triana
The quarter of Triana, on the other side of
the Guadalquivir is famous for its potteries and narrow streets. This
was once the gypsy quarter of Seville and many famous bullfighters,
flamenco dancers and seafarers grew up here. During the day one can buy
ceramic heart's delight.
Monasterio de Santa Maria de las Cuevas.
This huge monastery complex in Seville that dates from the 15th century
is closely linked to the development of Seville. Columbus lived and
worked here and was buried in the crypt from 1507 to 1542. Until 1836
there were monks in the Monastery and for over 100 years the building
served as a ceramics factory. In 1980 it has been renovated and served
as the center of the Seville Expo in 1992.
Seville Expo in 1992. In the field that was
used for the Expo '92 in Seville are a number of (modern) theme parks
such as Isla Magica, and Cartuja '93 Espacio Puerto Triana including an
Omnimax cinema, a roller coaster, a replica of a 16th century ship and
there are many shows and performances. From the large terrace at the
Mirador torre you have a beautiful view of the modern architecture of
these parks and the old Seville.
