A Panoramic Route Through Seville

19 August, 2019

If you are considering taking a panoramic route through one of the most beautiful cities in the world, do not hesitate to follow our recommendations and discover the most incredible locations and monuments in Seville. You will see the largest gardens in the entire southern city, passing through the only navigable river in Spain until you reach the largest gothic cathedral in the world. Are you ready to come along?

The Jewish Quarter

The Jewish Quarter, known as the Judería in Spanish, is one of the best locations to capture the essence of Seville. Take a trip through the historic narrow streets, feeling as though you are transported back to the Jewish neighbourhood around the year 1248. The Jewish neighbourhood has a particular layout of streets filled with nooks and crannies where one can easily get lost and discover the legends the envelop the Santa Cruz neighbourhood with a halo of charm and mystery that make it unique. The Hospital of the Venerable Priests, the Santa Cruz Plaza or the Streets of Agua and Vida (water and life) are just a few of the most important spots to see. Undoubtedly, this is a must on your visit in order to take in the feelings and memories of the past and to characterise the history of the southern Spanish city.

Real Alcázar

This Sevillian Royal Palace was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is currently the oldest royal palace in use within Europe. Just like the Jewish Quarter, this monument is a must see during your trip to the city, not just because of its architectural and artistic value, as it is a fortress built on a Roman settlement, but also because of the large amount of stories that are conserved within the walls and that nowadays continue to generate interest for visitors. One important site is the Courtyard of the Dolls, where nine doll faces are carved into the columns of the arches that, according to tradition, bring good luck if you can find them.

Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede

This is the largest gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest catholic temple after Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London. Therefore, the cathedral is one of the most frequently visited monuments within the city and each year takes in thousands of visitors coming from different parts of the world. Its origin dates back to the year 1401 and was constructed on top of an old mosque with a minaret (The Giralda) and a patio (Patio of the Orange Trees), which is still conserved to date.

The Giralda

Most commonly referred to as the Giralda, the cathedral bell tower was the highest tower in all of Seville and Spain throughout centuries, reaching about 104 metres in height. Currently, it is the second tallest tower in the Spanish city, after the construction of the Pelli Tower. As a fun fact, the Giralda has 35 ramps, because in its origin the Sultán travelled up to the highest part of the tower on horseback to be able to see the incredible sights of the city. This fact was detailed by the author Dan Brown in his novel which took place in Seville, The Digital Fortress, although the author modified the ramps for stairs.

Plaza de España

Known as The Spanish Plaza in English, this is one of the most spectacular places to visit in Seville due to its majesty and enormity. Starting in the year 1929, when it was constructed by Aníbal González for the Ibero-American Exposition, it drew in thousands of tourists. Additionally, it holds 48 benches representing all of the provinces in Spain, although technically there should be 50 in total because Seville is missing from this section and represented on other murals within the plaza as well as Gran Canaria and Tenerife. Those two appear simply as Canarias because when the plaza was built, the island was just one province. This location has been the site for many cinematographic works such as Lawrence of Arabia or the Wind and the Lion as well as other more modern works such as Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and the Dictator.

Maria Luisa Park

This park holds many treasures such as the Glorieta de Bécquer (Roundabout of Bécquer), Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), Monte Gurugú ( Mount Gurugú) or the Plaza de America (American Plaza). Catalogued as a property of cultural interest, this park has a total of 34 hectares in extension and its origin dates back to 1849. Antonio de Orléans, then Duke of Montpensier, placed a French gardener named Lecolant in charge of the design of what would later be a majestic garden for his palace. After the Duke passed in 1893, Maria Luisa of Bourbon, his widow, donated all of the gardens to the city and are currently open for the public to enjoy.

Torre del Oro

The Torre del Oro, or Gold Tower in English, is located on the shores of the Guadalquivir river. It reaches a height of 36 metres and starting from its origin has been a symbol of defence for the city. It was built in 1221 by the last Almohade governor Abu-l-Ula to control the ships entering into the port with a chain that was displayed from the foot to the other side of the river. It has three differentiating bodies, a lower dodecagon plant, a hexagonal intermediary and lastly, a superior circular plant and two bronze cannons at the entrance. Currently, it is a naval museum that holds mock-ups, engravings, navigation tools, marine charts and other historic wonders.

Plaza de Toros

The Royal Cavalry Armory of Seville, commonly known as the Plaza de Toros or the Bullfighting Ring, was constructed between 1761 and 1880. It was designed by the architect San Martin in 1758. Regarding the plaza, the ground floor is almost circular and its roof holds the highest scaffolding that rests on semicircle arches and marble columns, a particular characteristic which makes this plaza different. The famous Prince Box, is set aside for the highest authority when they attend a bull fight, which remains from the first phase of construction in the year 1765.

The Encarnación Mushrooms

Seville is a national and international tourist destination and just like other European cities, has recently carried out risky and innovative projects. The Metropol Parasol, more well known as the Encarnación Mushrooms due to their shape, is located in the historic section of the city, which was originally the home of the Encarnación convent which, years later, became the central market for the city. It was eventually torn down in 1973 because of construction problems.

Antiquarium Museum

This is an interactive museum that explains the history of the city through the Roman and Almohade archaeological discoveries that were found during the excavations of the Encarnación plaza listed above. TheAntiquarium museum is 5,000 m2 divided into three large areas: an area for main access surrounded by glass where the images are protected, an archaeological room with the remains found and a multiuse space.

Seville Aquarium

This centre has the largest amount of biodiversity in Europe. Throughout its 3,000 m3 of water, it is possible to observe some 400 marine life species and more than 7,000 specimens, among those highlighted, the bull shark, Matmata turtles and a giant squid. The aquarium also recreates the expedition that Magallanes and Elcano made in 1519 where visitors can submerge themselves in the marine depths of the planet.

The Guadalquivir River

The Guadalquivir, which the Romans called the Betis, is the only navigable river in all of Spain and crosses through all of Andalusia throughout its 657 km. It has been the protagonist of many historic moments of the city throughout the many sieges and conquests and it played a starring role in the first trip around the world. The trip that was begun by Magallanes and Elcano sailing their ships toward Sanlúcar de Barrameda to start the circumnavigation of the Earth.

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