| SEVILLA |
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.
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.
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.
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.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Calle los Arcos, Edif Camaron, local 81BII, Puerto de la Duquesa, Manilva (Malaga) Tel +34 952 89 15 63 Fax + 34 952 89 2286 info@costa-holidays.com |
