Seville is located in the Southeast of Spain, on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, which crosses the city from North to South. According to the legend, Seville was founded by Hercules. It was called Hispalis under the Roman and Isbiliya under the Moors. Seville has a rich and fascinating history. Although it has been governed by Romans for more than six centuries, The long Moorish occupation of Spain in 711AD was the one to have the most lasting impact on the city as in all of Al- Andalus (Andalucia). Throughout the narrow streets and main avenues, there are magnificent monuments and buildings, which stand as a legacy to this city's fascinating heritage. Seville's high point in history was in 1492 where it played an important role in the discovery and conquest of America. The boom generated by trade with the Americas transformed Seville into the Mecca of European commerce. This year was also to mark the end of the last Moorish city in Spain (Granada) and the unification of Spain under a single Crown. Today, Seville is one of the largest historical centres in Europe and the administrative capital of Andalucia.
Festivities in Sevilla Semana Santa (Holy Week, Easter) has been one of the most important celebrations in Seville for centuries. It is a religious festival where hooded penitents march through the narrow streets of the city, from their church to the Cathedral and back, followed by huge baroque floats on which sits images of the Virgin and Christ surrounded by crowds. Following the Semana Santa is La Feria de Abril: a week long party of drink, food and dance that take place in more than a thousand especially mounted tents (casetas). The men parade in their fine horses and the women dance in the coloured gypsy dresses. During this festival there is bullfights everyday.
Sevilla and Tapas The city is credited with the invention of tapas and has more than a thousand bars where the choice of food is virtually unlimited, from seafood to Cured ham and sausages (all types of salchichas), salads (potato aioli or Russian salad) and cheese. The tradition is to go from bar to bar and try a variety of Tapas at a time. There are a large number of traditional bars and wine cellars in the old city next to the cathedral and the Alcazar where you can savour the tapas.
Main sights The most striking monument in Seville is without a doubt La Giralda tower. It used to be the Minaret of an important Almohade Mosque. It is over 100m tall and can be seen from miles round. In 1568, La Giralda became the bell tower of the Christian Cathedral and was fitted with 25 renaissance bells and the statue "de la Fe". Although the striking beauty of La Giralda has been spoilt by the Renaissance era, it remains one of the most important and beautiful monument of the Islamic world. Today, the tower and the Patio De Los Naranjos (Orange Tree Patio) are all that was spared from the old structure. In the centre of the Patio remains a Moorish fountain used for the ritual ablutions before entering the mosque.
The Cathedral, which was originally built as a Mosque by the Almohads in the late 12th century later became the world's third largest church after St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's in London. The construction of the Cathedral started at the beginning of the 15th century. The altarpiece is the largest in the Christian world being 20 meters tall and 13,5m wide. The Cathedral and La Giralda can be seen anytime between 10.30am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 6pm on Sunday. The visit will cost you around 7 Euro.
Very close by is the Royal Mudejar Palace known as the Alcazar and has marvellous gardens. Abdel Al Rahman III ordered its construction in 913 and this fortified palace became the residence of various monarchs and Pedro I, "the cruel" (1350 to 1369) made significant additions to the palace. The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles from the Islamic to neo-classic. The beautiful gardens and fountains are worth visiting.
The Alcazar is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm; Sundays and holidays from 9.30am to 1.30pm. It is closed on Mondays.
Interestingly, Mudejar architecture continued long after the Muslim period; the best example being La Casa De Pilatos, one of the most beautiful mansions you can see in Seville, where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously.
Torre Del Oro (The Gold tower) built in 1221 was one of the last contribution of the Almohade in Seville. It formed part of the last wall of defence that ran from the Alcazar to the river. It is believed that the tower was given its name because of the sun's reflection off the gold tiles that once covered the dome. It can be visited Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am and 2pm. The tower is closed on Mondays.
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