Without a doubt, Seville (Sevilla) is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, the capital of Andalusia. Every year hundreds of thousands of tourists come here to admire the extraordinary architecture, walk through legendary places or take part in world-famous traditional fiery festivals that will leave no one indifferent.
Summary
Seville History
Hercules, a legendary figure from antiquity, is credited with establishing the city. Ayuntamiento arcade and Alameda de Hercules street were named after the mythical hero since so many locals continue to believe in the old tale.
According to the preserved sources in antiquity, a small settlement of the Iberians was located on the territory of modern Seville. A little later, there was a colony of Ispalis, which belonged to the Phoenicians. Around the 3rd century. BC NS. this city was conquered by the Romans, who called it Betika.
There is an opinion that it was in Seville, or instead in ancient Bettica, that the famous Roman emperors Adrian, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius were born. After the fall of the domination of the Roman Empire, the city, for some time, was the capital of the Visigoths, as evidenced by the Ruins of Italica that have survived to this day.
Arabs and Spanish Kings
In 712, Arab forces conquered Seville and ruled the city for the next five hundred years. The way locals live, work, and play has been irrevocably changed as a result.
In 1248, Seville was captured by the Spanish. It took some time, but ultimately King Ferdinand III of Castile issued the decree that the area become a shipyard. Planned improvements to the city's infrastructure continued unabatedly afterward.
Christopher Columbus discovered the New World on his voyage to India from Seville in 1492. As a result, Seville's economy proliferated since it was the only city to trade with the newly discovered countries.
The city's port developed into a central international trading hub where exotic goods from around the globe could be viewed. An Arab historian Al Sakundi once said about Seville, "Whoever has not gone to Seville has not witnessed a miracle."
Seville Attraction
The history of Seville greatly influences its contemporary look and feel. The left bank of the Guadalquivir River is home to the Cathedral of Seville and other historical landmarks.
It was built over more than 100 years, from 1401 to 1519; the height of this structure is 116 meters, and the length is 76 meters. The cathedral amazes me with its elegant and even solemn appearance, best emphasized by the highest dome and monumental columns.
The Giralda tower in Seville symbolizes the blending of many cultures and periods. Today, we can pinpoint the precise year the minaret's foundation was laid.
Opposite the Cathedral and the Giralda is the Plaza de la Virgen de Los Reyes, next to which you can also see the proudly standing Alcázar palace, which originally belonged to the Moorish rulers, and, after the conquest of Seville by Spain, became the residence of Christian kings.
Book your Tours and Tickets for the most popular attractions here:
- Seville Cathedral and Giralda: Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Seville: Alcázar Guided Tour
- Seville: Tapas Crawl
- Seville: Live Flamenco Dancing Show Ticket at the Theater
- Seville: Monumental City Bike Tour
- Seville: Monumental Segway Shared or Private Tour
Another striking representative of Arab architecture is the dodecagonal Golden Tower (Torre del Oro), whose height reaches 37 m. Its construction began in 1220; it was part of the city fortifications.
The bullfights in Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza occur not far from the Golden Tower. It was built in 1763 and has become one of Spain's most recognizable landmarks.
The Lonja de Sevilla, now known as the Archivo de Indias, was built at the tail end of the 16th century and is conveniently situated next to the Plaza del Triunfo.
Seville Culture
Seville is often considered Europe's (and the world's) most visually appealing metropolitan metropolis. Magic Island, located in the city's historic quarter, has been named the first amusement theme park in the world. While waiting for rides, park guests may marvel at the fantastical palace architecture.
This data can be used to study foreign cultures and customs. Explore one of the most advanced planetariums globally while taking in exotic music and a laser display.
Festivals honouring the flamenco art form, however, draw the largest crowds to Seville. This fiery dance was born in Andalusia but has since gained popularity worldwide.
Tourists flock to Seville for the city's famed carriage excursions and equestrian shows. These events may be found on the Plaza del Triunfo, often known as the Spanish Square.
The bullfight is, without a doubt, the most incredible show Seville has to offer. Traditional bullfights are currently only held in Seville and Madrid.
Cuisine
The city has been shaped by a mix of cultures throughout history. This is reflected not only in the city's architecture and the way of life of its people but also in the local cuisine. Being located on a river that flows into the ocean, seafood is a staple of Seville's culinary scene.
The Corral del Rey is a well-known restaurant in Seville, Spain, recognized for its high-quality cuisine and upscale atmosphere (it also has a bar). Guests like to dine on the terrace because of the breathtaking view of Cathedral Square and the cathedral, the city's most visited attraction.
Traditional Spanish cuisines include fish, hog, and vegetable dishes. Furthermore, the restaurant's bar serves over a hundred different cocktails.
La Giralda is a popular stop for passing travellers due to its welcoming vibe and reasonably priced food. In this respect, Seville was crucial. As the Indian Archive attests, the food in this part of the world is really one of a kind, fusing elements from many different civilizations.
And at the renowned Egana Oriza, where the chef boasts that the key to his dishes' distinctive flavour is all in the vinegar and olive oil, diners may sample some of Baku's Andalusian specialities prepared in a novel way. When cooking fish, these seasonings come in especially handy.
