Sevilla
What's it like in Seville (Sevilla)?
Rich in tradition yet modern in architecture and attitude, Seville or as the Spanish say Sevilla is the vibrant capital of Andalucía, and with its unique charisma, will never fail to surprise and inspire you no matter how often you return. Within a two-hour drive from the Costa del Sol, Sevilla embodies the essential spirit of Andalucía. From the ancient Moorish vestiges of La Giralda tower and the Real Alcazar, to the futuristic buildings and bridges of Expo ‘92, an irresistible blend of old and new makes this one very special city.
Over the centuries, myriad cultural layers have been laid down creating an eclectic blend of Moorish, Gothic and neoclassical styles, capturing the imagination of everyone from Bizet and Gorbachov to Ava Gardner - the sultry actress who once referred to Sevilla as: “that city so full of everything, light, smell, sensuality.”
Many of Sevilla’s finest moments are associated with the legendary Guadalquivir, the river that runs through the centre. Once a major port, Sevilla played a huge role in building the Spanish Empire - receiving treasures from the New World - hence the city’s superb Gothic and Plateresque buildings. The river harbours several landmarks including La Torre de Oro, a true symbol of Sevilla’s Golden Age; the Real Maestranza Bull Ring - and theatre of the same name inaugurated for the 1992 Expo - and a statue of Mozart, who set two of his operas in this most stylish of European cities. The atmospheric and oft romanticised Triana district, famous for flamenco, borders the river, and crossing Sevilla’s fine heritage of bridges is a fascinating experience not to be missed.
The XII century Moorish tower, La Giralda, is unquestionably the symbol epitomising Sevilla - its unmistakeable presence looming large, yet graceful over the city. An intricate minaret, other than the Patio de los Naranjos, is all that remains of the mosque that was destroyed in the XV century to be replaced by a Catholic cathedral under the reign of Ferdinand and Isabel during the Reconquest of Spain. Gothic in architecture, it is cited in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest of its genre, and is the resting place of Christopher Columbus.
One can never underestimate the religious fervour of the sevillanos, which reaches a peak in Holy Week (Easter) when extravagant effigies of the Virgin Mary are paraded through the streets on enormous gold and silver floats, amidst an ambience that ranges from the solemn to the frenzied. Another major event on the social calendar is Sevilla’s famous Feria de Abril - a feast of flamenco, fino, dancing horses and round-the-clock partying which is a marvel to behold. Parque María Luisa is an oasis of cool in a city of summertime desert temperatures. (Not for nothing is Sevilla known as “the frying pan of Europe). A historical gem, the spacious avenues are lined with orange trees, jacarandas, palms and maples, and the jewel in the crown is the magnificent Plaza de España, an example of spectacular contemporary architecture. Built as the pavilion for Spain at the World Expo 1929, the semicircular Renaissance-style monument stunned the world.
On your tour of discovery you should also take in the University, catching a glimpse of the Law Faculty housed in the Real Fabrica de Tabaco, the cigar factory immortalised in Bizet’s opera ‘Carmen’. Sevilla’s fabled Barrio de Santa Cruz, with its maze of narrow streets, quaint patios and whitewashed buildings is also worth a visit. Once the home of mythical Latin lover Don Juan, this captivating neighbourhood has a vibrancy and mystery that draws people both night and day.
Said to be the oldest palace in Europe, kings of numerous cultures have resided at the Real Alcazar for 18 centuries. Based on a series of courtyards and elaborate salons - some of the Moorish rooms are even more impressive than La Alhambra in Granada. Cultivated over ten centuries, the stately gardens are an idyllic setting for a cooling walk and a spot of quality time with a wistful novel among the bright red hibiscus. In pure Moorish tradition, fountains gently murmur, while the high walls provide a host of welcome shaded corners.
The gardens stretch on for acres with more than two hundred cedars,
palms, oaks, cypresses and citrus trees making up this botanical haven of gardens and mazes.
VIVA TOP TIPS
*Things you absolutely MUST do: Take a leisurely sightseeing tour in an elegant horse-drawn carriage; a relaxing trip on the river; and visit Italica (also known as Santiponce), four miles to the north of the city. A well-kept secret, Italica evokes memories of Italy’s world-famous Roman sites: Herculaneum and Pompeii.
*Shopping: Head for Calle Sierpes for department stores, leather goods and curios. The Triana district is renowned for its ceramics factories.
*Accommodation in Sevilla ranges from 5-star hotels to simple but clean pensiones. At Easter, and during the April Feria, it’s essential to book well in advance.
*If you’d like to explore the city on foot, avoid July and particularly August, when temperatures can typically soar above 40ºC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Tourist Offices:
Paseo de las Delicias, 9. Tel: (+34) 954 234 465
Avda. de la Constitución, 21. Tel: (+34) 954 221 404
Official Website Sevilla City Hall:
www.sevilla.org
Official Tourist Board Website:
www.turismo.sevilla.org
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