| 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.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
COSTA HOLIDAYS
