1. Alcazar of Seville
The Royal palace of Sevilla, the place where the monarchy of Spain lived and governed. Although from the outside it’s a fortress, inside it’s full of history and beauty, as it’s comprised of different palaces within the same area. Each one was built at different times by different monarchs, giving space to a mix of cultures and artistic styles. Built in the 10th Century and still in use today, it’s the oldest Royal Palace in the world.
2. Cathedral of Seville
The great mosque converted into a Christian cathedral. A cathedral in which elements of Islam are still preserved today, like the beautiful patio with its orange trees, which was the former Courtyard of Ablutions or its ancient minaret, now a symbol of Seville, La Giralda. Situated in front of the Alcazar, it too combines elements of different artistic trends and its colossal size makes it the 3rd largest Christian church in the world.
3. The General Archives of the Americas
A renaissance building constructed for the trade with the Americas. Together with the Alcazar and the Cathedral they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today it works to remind us of the reason why it was built: to conserve all the documentation related to the centuries of Spain in the American territories. It’s worth going in to look at the great staircase and the bookcases with their Indian motifs. It’s free to enter.
4. Plaza de España and Maria Luisa Park
The quintessential square of Seville. Built as the Spanish pavilion for the Ibero-American exhibition of 1929, its spectacular dimensions, its sailable canals and its location in the great park of Seville create an unmissable place to visit.
5. The Golden Tower
The Golden Tower gives personality to the Guadalquivir River. It was constructed by the Almohads as a defence tower to protect the city. In the past the city walls would have connected it to the Silver Tower and to the walls of the Alcazar. Inside there is a naval museum and from the top you can see magnificent views of the city.
6. Pilate’s House
This is the great palace of Seville, only after the Alcazar. Its origins are from the 15th century although it wasn’t until the next century that it acquired the beauty that now characterises it, it’s built in the Mudejar style but with elements of the renaissance brought from Italy. Now it belongs to the descendants of the House of Medinaceli. Its style has given it the honour of being a model of an Andalucian Palace.
7. Santa Cruz neighbourhood.
The neighbourhood most charming in Seville. Created as a muslim neighbourhood close to the Alcazar, later it was the Jewish quarter and afterwards a Christian district. Wandering through it means losing yourself in the labyrinth of streets, smells, and picturesque places which have a story in each corner.
8. Triana
The neighbourhood of Flamenco and Ceramics. Also of the seat of the Spanish inquisition, and home to the sailors who crossed the ocean going to the Americas. Triana is a neighbourhood with its own personality, to get here you have to cross the famous Isabel II Bridge, more commonly known as the Bridge of Triana. The church of Santa Ana, its neighbourhood courtyards, the walk by the river or the museums make it an essential place to visit.
9. Salvador Church
The second biggest church in Seville it rests on the ruins of the ancient Aljama mosque, of which, if we know where to look, we can still see some hints. It’s an expression of the late Sevillian Baroque style, and it’s included with the ticket for the Cathedral. After having seen its interior, the best way to contemplate it is drinking a beer or a wine in its marvellous square.
10. The University of Seville.
The University is within the walls of the former Royal Tobacco Factory, something that is hinted at by the barriers the circle the building as though this activity was still going on inside. In fact there are many elements that remind us of the lives of the famous employees, like the watch towers, the old moat, some disused posters and the reliefs in the main entrance. The legendary Carmen worked in this building.
This are the indispensable monuments you cannot miss during your visit to Seville. But there are many others waiting for you to discover them.
Images source: 38, 61, 6, 26, 11, 48, 75, 15 (section 2); 25, 36 (section 3). Front page: Flickr. Girish Gopi
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