Seville

Seville is the financial and cultural capital of Spain. Its also the governing capital of Andalusia. It is located on the River Guadalquivir and has an elevation of twenty three feet above sea level. Seville covers an area of fifty-four square miles and has a population of seven hundred thousand residents. This makes the city the fourth largest metropolitan area in the whole of Spain.

Seville history stretches back more than two thousand years to pre-Roman times. It was originally known as Hispalis and was a province of the Roman Empire. The only remnants left from that period are some aqua ducts that are located in the city. The city only remained a province of Rome for a few hundred years when it was finally overtaken by the Visigoth tribes of the fifth and sixth centuries. In the eighth century the city was conquered by the Moors and renamed the city Isbiliya, a name which would later evolve into the name Seville. The Moors exerted a definite Muslim influence on the city that can be seen through the Moorish architectural features that dot the city. After the Reconquest of the city, its economic development began to rise. The Alcazar, a residence for royalty was erected in the Moorish architectural style. Later on a Gothic cathedral would be erected in the fifteenth century. Seville’s economic status would continue to rise as the city became an important trade route between the Spanish Americas and the rest of the world.

Seville is a city replete with monuments and attractions of significant historical and cultural value. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Seville Cathedral. This massive Gothic cathedral was started in the fifteenth century and took more than a hundred years to complete. This cathedral was placed on the site of the Almohad mosque, which was torn down to make room for it. All thats left of the original mosque is a minaret known as La Giralda. The inside of the cathedral contains over forty-four chapels and many works of art which included flamboyant altarpieces and gilded panels. This is considered to be one of the largest medieval cathedrals in the world, both in terms of volume and area. The cathedral contains a large statue at its top known as El Giraldillo. The inside of the tower was built with ramps rather than stairs, to allow the guards there to ride on horseback to the very top.

Another prominent tourist attraction in Seville is Alcazar Palace. This Moorish palace has been occupied by the governing rulers of the city since Roman times and it was also a residence of Spanish kings during the Middle Ages. This palace was erected in the seventh century and has been continually added to and restored ever since. The first ruler to make enlargements to the structure was Al-Mu’tadid of the Abbadids. This ruler was known to keep a large harem of over eight hundred women and decorate the palace with the skulls of the enemies he had defeated.

The Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla or Museum of Fine Arts of Seville, is one of the grandest collection of Spanish art covering a period from the medieval period to the twentieth century. The museum was built in 1839 and has works from the entire region. This museum contains works from artist such as Esteban Murillo, Juan de Vales Leal, Francisco de Zurbaran and El Greco. But, the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Sevilla isn’t the only museum in the city. Other museums include The Andalusian Contemporary Art Center, The Army Museum, The Maritime Museum, The Carriages Museum, The Flamenco Art Museum, The Bullfight Museum, Casa de Pilatos and Centro Velázquez. Also there are two museums located in the María Luisa Park, the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Traditional Arts and Costumes.

Maria Luisa Park is located on a half mile area of land in the southern portion of Seville. The beautiful park is populated with orange trees, palms, elms and Mediterranean pines. There are also lots and lots of flowers strategically placed all over the park. Maria Luisa Park was built during the 1920′s and contains a beautiful mix of Mudejar and Art Deco architecture contained within its many pavilions and ponds. Located not far from the park is the Royal Tobacco Factory, which is now part of the University of Seville.

The University of Seville was built during the fifteenth century and known as the Colegio de Santa María de Jesús or The School of Blessed Mary of Jesus. Pope Julius II allowed the school to teach degrees in Theology, Philosophy, Law, Medicine and Arts starting in 1505. Forty six years later the city granted a Estudio General to the school which allowed it to become a university.

Overlooking the Guadalquivir River, is the Torre del Oro. This magnificent tower was erected during the thirteenth century and used as a military prison during the middle ages. Since then the tower has been renovated many times and it now serves as a naval museum. Works contained here include letters, models, instruments and historic documents of a maritime nature. This museum chronicles the rich naval history of the city of Seville.

Isla Mágica is the theme park of Seville. This theme park was opened in 1997 and features many rides including an inverted roller coaster called El Jaguar, a 4D cinema called Dimension 4, a log flume ride called the Anaconda and a river rapid ride with a fifteen hundred foot track called the Rapidos del Orinoco

Seville is a city that is known for its hotels, cafes and especially its restaurants. This city is a food lovers paradise with a menu designed on seafood, olive oil and sherry. A big tradition in the city is the tapas scene. This is where people go from one restaurant to another sampling tiny dishes called tapas, a word which means lids in Spanish. This city also serves traditional main courses which include foods such as squid, swordfish, lamb’s kidneys and gazpacho. Desserts served in the city include polvorones, mantecados, pestinos, magdalenas and tortas de aceite.