Must see/visit

What to visit in Seville?

Sevilla is the city of a thousand faces, colors,tastes and smells, the perfect place to walk calmly to the rhythm of its people and customs. Seville is the epitome of Andalusia and Spain, where centuries of history unite. The wealth of Tartessos attracted the Carthaginians and then gave way to the Roman Empire, not forgetting, of course, the Arab presence for centuries. All these civilizations, along with the sunny climate, have left its impression on the Sevillanos character; because if there is something special in the city apart from its wealth of monuments, it’s its people. Sevillanos are talkative, love to socialize, and welcome newcomers to proudly show them the wonders of the city. Seville is the great economic and cultural center of Andalusia, a city where the traces of the past merge unchanged over a modern society.

Seville’s most well-knownneighborhoods

Santa Cruz: It’s the historic nucleus of the city, with a multitudeof Jewish and Arabic influence throughout its narrow winding streets. Here is where we can find the main historical monuments.

Cathedral (15th century): the 3rd largest cathedral and largestgothic church in Europe. http://www.catedraldesevilla.es/

Giralda (12th century): the 12th century bell tower that was aformer minaret is the symbol of the city

Reales Alcázares (10th century): Made up of several palaces of various styles, it hasthe most wonderful gardens in the city. Today it still serves as the residence for the Royal Family when they visitSeville. http://www.alcazarsevilla.org/

Archivo de Indias: A 16th century Lonja(market place) that serves today as a library for all documents related to the New World. http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/archivos/mc/archivos/agi/portada.html

Hospitalde los Venerables: Baroquestyle building from the 17th century with some exceptional works ofart. http://www.spain.info/es/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/sevilla/hospital_de_los_venerables.html

Iglesia Santa María la Blanca: Former synagogue consecrated to Catholic worship andthen transformed in the 17th century in its current Baroque style. It houses various important Works of art such as “La Cena” by Murillo. SantaMaria la Blanca Street. Free entrance.

– Don´tforget to walk into “Plaza Doña Elvira”, “el Callejón del Agua”, “Plaza de los Venerables” and “El Patio de Banderas”, some of the most enchanted places of “Barrio de Santa Cruz”

Historic center: In the commercial core of the city you can find otherimportant monuments:

Salvador Church (17th century): The second largest church in Seville, it was thelargest mosque during the time when the Arabic culture ruled the city. http://www.iglesiadelsalvador.es/html/visita_cultural/secciones/horarios_y_tarifas/

Casa Pilatos: This 15th century palace is a mix of Renaissance,Baroque and Mudejar style which belongs to the Duke of Medinaceli’s family. http://www.visitarsevilla.es/que-ver/monumentos/visitar-la-casa-pilatos/

Palacio de Lebrija: A palace from the 16th century which houses animpressive collection of Roman mosaics. http://palaciodelebrija.com/

MetropolParasol (“Las Setas de Sevilla”):its a wooden structure located at “La Encarnación Square”. It has dimensions of 150 by 70 metres (490 by230 ft) and an approximate height of 26 metres, offering a panoramic view of Seville. The underground level holds the Antiquarium (Roman Ruins) http://setasdesevilla.com/

Arenal neighborhood: Served as an important port during the 16th and 17thcenturies thanks to the expeditions to the New World. It is also the literary and bullfighting nucleus of the city.

Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza: The oldest bullfighting ring in Spain, it houses asmall museum that portrays the history of bullfighting in Seville. http://www.realmaestranza.com/plaza_de_toros/visita_museos-ides-idhtml.html

Torre del Oro: The Gold Tower, located on the bank of the GuadalquivirRiver, is a symbol of the city. You can visit its maritime museum and climb the few steps to the top for a limited view of the city. https://www.inspain.org/es/sitios/torredeloro.asp

Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum): The former convent has been converted into thesecond most important museum in Spain. http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/museos/MBASE/index.jsp?redirect=S2_1.jsp

Hospital de la Caridad: Baroque style building from the 17th century that ishome to several pieces by Valdés Leal. http://www.andalucia.org/es/turismo-cultural/visitas/sevilla/monumentos/hospital-de-la-santa-caridad

Triana neighborhood: The core of bullfighters, singers, artisans, andflamenco dancing, is located across the river in Triana. It’s a neighborhood of legends, festivals, and gypsy customs that can be reached by crossing the Isabel II Bridge. In the Plaza del Altozano you can visit the Castle of St. George and the Triana Market. Finally, take a stroll down Calle Betis to enjoy the magical views across the Guadalquivir.

Macarena neighborhood: located on the northern side of the city, here youcan find a large portion of the original wall from the 12th centurythat defended the city.

Basílica de la Macarena: One of the most famous churches in Seville, it’slocated next to one of the original arched entrances into the old city. http://www.hermandaddelamacarena.es/horarios/

Hospital de las Cinco Llagas (s XVI): Currently is home to the Andalusia Parliament. Reservations required. http://www.parlamentodeandalucia.es/opencms/export/portal-web-parlamento/elparlamento/sede/visitas.htm 

Other interesting Museums:

MuseoArqueológico (ArcheologicalMuseum): Located in Plaza de América. http://www.visitarsevilla.es/que-ver/museos-sevilla/museo-arqueologico-de-sevilla/

Museo Artes y Costumbres Populares (Museumof Popular Arts and Traditions): Located in plaza de América.http://www.sevillaguia.com/sevillaguia/Museos/sevillamuseodearteycostumbrespopulares.htm

Museo del Baile Flamenco (FlamencoMuseum): onManuelRojas Marcos Street. http://www.flamencotickets.com/es/museo-del-baile-flamenco-sevilla

Centrode Arte Contemporáneo (Center of Contemporary Art): Located in el Monasterio dela Cartuja (Isla de la Cartuja) http://www.caac.es/inf/frame.htm

Parks:

Parque de María Luisa (María Luisa Park): is located between the Porvenirneighborhood and La Avenida de la Palmera. At an astounding 400,000m2 this ‘green area” surroundsome of the city’s most emblematic buildings such as the Plaza España, which was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of1929.

Parque del Alamillo (AlamilloPark): was inaugurated in 1992 for the World Fair,covers 47 acres of the Island of Cartuja between the old and new channels of the Guadalquivir River, and embodies the naturallandscape of a Mediterranean forest.

Parque de Los Príncipes (Princes’Park): with spacious grassy areassurrounded by trees and pathways lined with orange blossoms, is in the Los Remedios neighborhood. Opened in 1973.

Parque de Miraflores (Miraflores Park): located on thenorthern side of the city, is the largest in the city spanning 90 acres which include vegetable gardens and a large lake in the center.

Jardines deMurillo (Murillo’s Gardens): 8.500 m2 gardens,at the back of Royal Palace´s Gardensand related to Catalina de Rivera path, also a green area.