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6 April, 2018

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Itálica: ancient roman city ruins in Seville
 <p>Hail Caesar, we who are about to visit Itálica salute you! Make your way to Santiponce and enjoy the historical wonder of Itálica, a small piece of Rome just a few minutes from Seville. There you can see the ruins of an ancient Roman city, the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo as well as the Municipal Museum of Fernando Marmolejo. Don’t miss out! </p>   <h3><strong>Itálica Ruins</strong></h3>   <p>The ancient Roman city of Itálica is located in the lower Guadalquivir area, about halfway between Seville (previously known as the Roman city of Hispalis) and Alcalá del Río (previously known as Ilipa Magna), which is currently where the municipality of Santiponce is located. During the period of the High Roman Empire, Itálica was a strategic city, both in a political and military sense as well as from an economic standpoint, extending as a testament to this along its total surface of 54 hectares. </p>   <p>The origins of the architectural complex of Itálica date back to the year 206 C.E., during the historical context of the Second Punic War, when General Publio Cornelio Escipión defeated the Carthaginians in the battle of Ilipa and established a legionary detachment in the Cerro de San Antonio, which was populated by the Turdetani people from about IV C.E.</p>   <p>Despite the fact that, at the start, both communities lived together in this close enclave along the Guadalquivir River, the Roman society began to progressively impose their political model and their social customs onto the rest of society. As a result, Itálica was the birthplace of such emperors as Trajano or Adriano, as well as a point of origin for a majority of the senators of the time. </p>   <p>Currently, the architectural complex of Itálica allows visitors to take a walk through the incredible Roman amphitheater, which once had a capacity to hold 25,000 spectators, being one of the biggest amphitheaters of the empire. It had three descending levels and a large pit where representations of the different spectacles of fighting gladiators and beasts were carried out.</p>   <p>In addition to visiting the amphitheater, it is also possible to follow the pathway of the outline of the ancient streets of the Roman city and see the most important archaeological remains of Itálica such as the Temple of Trajano and the well-known “hot springs”. During your visit to the ancient Roman city, it is also possible to see homes, public buildings, artistic objects and the utensils of the day to day used by its past inhabitants. </p>   <h3><strong>Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo</strong></h3>   <p>Founded in the year 1301 by Alonso Pérez de Guzmán and María Alonso Coronel, its location is near the ruins of Itálica because, according to tradition, it was in that location where San Isidoro of Seville was laid to rest. From that point on, the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo was under the spiritual mandate and management of different religious orders, such as, the Cistercians and the St. Jerome Hermits, which have left along the way, their own personal and characteristic impressions both in the construction and in the decoration of the premises. </p>   <p>It was not until the year 1432 when the St. Jerome hermits decided to carry out a deep structural reform in the monastery which was directly reflected in the concept of monastic life and subtly in some decorative aspects. In this characteristic monastery fortress, with a double church, the gothic style with the Mudejar style are juxtaposed, through which the Almohad tradition is clearly seen. With the Cistercian austerity, the monastery of St. Jerome is decorated with mural paintings that shape one of the more notable complexes, artistically speaking, in all of Spain. </p>   <p>With the passing of the years, the Monastery expanded and was enriched, finally having a tower, belfry, five cloisters and alongside the monacal units, a lodge and agricultural installations with personal cattle that was intended for them to stock up and be self-sufficient. </p>   <p>Currently, the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo can be visited free of charge for visits that are approximately 45 minutes with the exception of Monday, which is when the Monastery is closed to public visits. </p>   <h3><strong>Municipal Museum of Fernando Marmolejo</strong></h3>   <p>Located next to the Roman theater, is the Municipal Museum of Santiponce where Fernando Marmolejo presents visitors with a wide surface of expositions in the lower floor, close to the access entrance of the museum, as well as, a higher floor with three different rooms, where temporary expositions are shown. </p>   <p>The permanent collection is made up of artistic work and archeological artifacts which were donated by the well-known goldsmith Fernando Marmolejo Camargo. Among the most highlighted art exhibitions, it is possible to visit a few reproductions of ancient archeological treasures commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, for example, the Crown of Recesvinto, the Tartessian candlestick from Lebrija or the Almohad Keys to the city of Seville. </p> 
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Enjoy the entertaining side of Seville
 <p>Seville is a city rich with culture and mouth-watering gastronomy, but don’t miss out on its wide range of opportunities to enliven your plans with friends and family. We put together a list to help you enjoy Seville to the fullest through everything from music and theatre to painting and equestrian events. What are you waiting for? </p>   <div style="height:50px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>   <h2><strong>See the City By Bus</strong></h2>   <p>One way to enjoy<a href="https://sevillagreensuites.com/en/a-panoramic-route-through-seville/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" a scenic tour of the city (abre en una nueva pestaña)"> a scenic tour of the city</a> and see the cultural and historic monuments of Seville in just 24 hours, is by hopping on a bus ride. The entire circuit lasts about 80 minutes and its itinerary starts at the <em>Torre de Oro</em> (Gold Tower) and runs to the <em>Plaza de Armas</em>, by way of the <em>Isla Mágica </em>(Water Park) and the <em>Barrio de Triana</em> (Triana Neighborhood). It also includes access to four excursions on foot through the city. </p>   <p>The advantage of taking this bus tour is that the ticket lasts for 24 hours and lets you hop on and hop off at any stop you choose. This way, tourists have the opportunity to spend more time visiting any of the most important sites of Seville on the route that they desire. In total, there are 14 stops. </p>   <div style="height:50px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>   <h2><strong>Seville Aquarium</strong></h2>   <p>On the inside of this newly reformed aquarium, you can find up to 400 different animal species, two ecosystems: the Tropical Jungle and the Mangrove, with tropical fish, green anacondas, coloured frogs and 100 year old turtles. Lastly, there is a Jellyfish Exposition over a range of 15 tanks, so that visitors can see their almost hypnotic movements up close. </p>   <p>Currently, the Seville Aquarium is a touristic and educational city reference for all types of audiences, as the objective of the aquarium is to help its visitors experience the unknown and mysterious areas of the marine world as well as show the beauty of the sea depths and the enormous diversity of organisms and ecosystems that exist nowadays.</p>   <div style="height:50px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>   <h2><strong>Immersive Exposition of Gustav Klimt</strong></h2>   <h4>(October 10<sup>th</sup>-December 15<sup>th</sup>)</h4>   <p>This is the first Spanish immersive exposition dedicated to the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, known for his mastery of gold shimmer in his work. The exposition displays paintings of both people and landscapes for you to observe and analyse each of them in detail, down to every gaze. Let yourself get carried away by the melodic music accompanying these works of art. The event is located in the <em>Pabellón de la Navegación</em> on the <em>Isla de la Cartuja</em> (Cartuja Island).</p>   <div style="height:50px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>   <h2><strong>Not to be Missed Events</strong></h2>   <h4><strong>Fado Festival in Seville</strong> (October 22<sup>nd</sup>-December 10<sup>th</sup>) </h4>   <p>The fifth edition of the Fado Festival of Seville will take place this year. The program involves three concerts which are celebrated In the <em>Teatro Lope de Vega</em>. Among the concerts that are scheduled this year, those highlighted include the Portuguese musician António Zambujo as well as the promising fadista, Teresinha Landeiro. Fado is considered a musical genre of singular importance in the Portuguese cultural memory and it also continues to consolidate progressively as a cultural product that generates the interest of the masses. </p>   <h4><strong>European Film Festival</strong> (November 8th-16th)</h4>   <p>On the agenda of important cultural events that take place in Seville throughout the year, it would be impossible not the mention this among them. This year, the sixteenth edition of the European Film Festival in Seville will take place throughout the month of November. An event with the most outstanding projections of European Cinema bringing together the best directors, producers and actors on the European big screen in Seville. The festival will showcase genres ranging from Film Noir and fantasy to comedies or even animation and visitors can enjoy the works of well-known cinematographers Elia Suleiman, Nadav Lapid, Teona Strugar Mitevska, Corneliu Porumboiu or Justine Triet.</p>   <h4><strong>SIBAB </strong>(November 19<sup>th</sup>-24<sup>th</sup>)</h4>   <p>SIBABis an international event celebrated in Seville, which started in the year 1991 and has continued on since then. It showcases Purebred Spanish horses coming from 300 stables in more than 60 countries around the world. Undoubtedly, it is a not to be missed site to see not only for those who love equestrian events, but also for the general public. The testament to its success is that each year there are more than 200, 000 visitors in just one week. It is considered one of the most important events in the city following Holy Week celebrations and the Feria. </p>   <h4><strong>Festival de Las Naciones</strong> (Festival of Nations) (Now-November 3<sup>rd</sup>)</h4>   <p>The Festival of Nations is back for another year in the <em>Prado de Sebastián</em> in Seville and takes you on a gastronomic, musical, artistic and cultural trip through more than 50 countries located in all parts of the world. With Mexico as an invited country this year, the Festival of Nations includes a varied program of shows and concerts for everyone. </p>   <div style="height:50px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>   <h2><strong>Visit the Rooftops of the Cathedral </strong></h2>   <p>With this trip over the rooftops of <a href="https://sevillagreensuites.com/en/monumental-seville/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="the Cathedral of Seville (abre en una nueva pestaña)">the Cathedral of Seville</a>, experience the city from a new and different perspective, taking in the unique sites of the Spanish city. This impressive tour takes you on a trip over the rooftops and lets you go up the staircases in addition to seeing the ceilings and stained glass windows just a few metres up, all while the guide explains the construction process for, what is considered the largest Gothic Cathedral in the World, according the UNESCO. </p> 
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Night Tour Through Seville's Santa Cruz Neighborhood
 <p>With the night as a backdrop, take a tour with us through the old Jewish quarter of Seville, a neighbourhood that has inspired poets and playwrights alike. Winding along the captivating alleyways and most important spots you will get to know the Santa Cruz neighbourhood in all of its splendour. You will surely be charmed! </p>   <h2><strong>Palace of the Archbishop Gateway</strong></h2>   <p>Located in the Virgen de los Reyes Plaza, the main entrance to the Palace of the Archbishop was built in the 18<sup>th</sup> century and is considered one of the most important architectural masterpieces of the Sevillian baroque period. The project was done by Lorenzo Fernández Iglesias and Diego Antonio Díaz. It was built under the sponsorship of the Archbishop Manuel Arias, whose coat of arms can be seen in the arch of the palace entrance. Once through the threshold of the doorway, there is a patio which gives way to the offices of the General Archive of the Archbishop and the Library. </p>   <h2><strong>Virgen de Los Reyes Plaza</strong></h2>   <p>This plaza is located in the historic city centre of Seville, as it is the area which unites such emblematic buildings as the Cathedral, the Palace of the Archbishop and the Convent of Encarnación. It is a pedestrian plaza, which numerous tourist groups pass through daily, some of which take advantage of the occasion to take a ride in a horse drawn carriage available and experience the city in a different way. Additionally, for special events like Holy Week or Corpus Cristi, the plaza plays a special role as a location where processions pass through. </p>   <h2><strong>Old Jewish Quarter of Seville </strong></h2>   <p>The origins of the Jewish Quarter of Seville date back to the times of King Ferdinand III of Castilla when he conquered the city which, at that time, Seville housed the second largest population of Jewish people in all of Spain, following after the namesake in Toledo. The Jewish Quarter was located in what are now the Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé Neighbourhoods and despite the expulsion of this community in the year 1483, part of the Jewish and Muslim population remained in the area throughout the years that followed. </p>   <h2><strong>Santa Cruz Neighbourhood</strong></h2>   <p>In the 19<sup>th</sup> century, this was a Jewish neighbourhood infamously known for being a breeding ground for diseases, where it was necessary to make urgent improvements. In that respect, the contributions made by Juan Talavera y Heredia alongside the journalist José Laguillo, united to awaken the city due to the inauguration of the Ibero-American Exposition in 1929, made it possible to reach a consensus in order to redevelop the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood. Nowadays, it is one of the most visited areas of the city for the charm of its narrow alleys and streets. </p>   <h2><strong>Doña Elvira Plaza</strong></h2>   <p>This lovely plaza is located in the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood and arose out of the aforementioned redevelopment that took place between the years of 1911 and 1918 in Seville. During the 17<sup>th</sup> century, it was the headquarters of the well-known corral de comedias (theatrical courtyards). The Doña Elvira Plaza was given that name because of the Sevillian legend that states it was home to Don Gonzalo de Ulloa, the father of Doña Elvira; two characters from the play <em>Don Juan Tenorio</em> by José Zorilla. This square has a sense of beauty and appeal of indescribable value. </p>   <h2><strong>Murillo Gardens</strong></h2>   <p>Up until the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the Murillo Gardens were the gardens of the Real Alcázar of Seville and were made public and open to visit when the mayor at the time, Conde de Halcón, ordered the transfer of these lands be made to the Spanish City. Later on, the municipal architect Juan Talavera y Heredia was put in charge of designing the structure of paths and roundabouts for these gardens and for that reason, they were originally called “The Talavera Gardens”. In the interior part of the gardens, one tower and some paintings of the old city wall are still conserved, where one can see the canals that connect the water from the Caños de Carmona up to the Alcázar of Seville. </p>   <h2><strong>The Santa Cruz Plaza</strong></h2>   <p>This is a medium sized, rectangular plaza located in the Santa Cruz Neighbourhood. In its centre, one can see a garden elevated by a few steps and surrounded by orange trees that offer nice shade when the sun shines strongest. Within the garden, there is a “Cruz de la Sierpes” (cross of the serpents), popularly known as “La Cruz de la Cerrajería” (locksmith cross) and made by Sebastián Conde in the year 1692. In its origin, it was devotional, as it commemorated the exaltation of the cross and was paid for by popular subscription. </p>   <h2><strong>Calle Mateos Gago</strong></h2>   <p>It begins in the Virgen de Los Reyes Plaza and flows out into Calle Fabiola and runs more than 250 metres in length, one of the most typical stamps of the city. Previously, it was known as the “Borceguinería”, as that was where the trade was in charge of producing and selling borceguíes, a type of boot used in Spain during the Middle Age. The “Borceguinería” was, at that time, narrow and destitute, which is why the brotherhood of Santa Cruz, whose headquarters were located at the end of the street, reclaimed the reconstruction, given that the processions had to move in an enormous circle to reach the official pathway during Holy Week. Finally, coinciding with the Expo of 1929, a number of houses were demolished and later the street was widened. </p>   <h2><strong>The Giralda </strong></h2>   <p>Currently, this is the second largest building in the city of Seville, after the construction of the Pelli Tower. As a fun fact, the Giralda has 35 ramps, because it was originally designed for the Sultan to ride up on horseback to see the incredible views of the city from the bell tower. In fact, this was used by Dan Brown in his novel <em>Digital Fortress</em>, which was set in Seville, although the author wrongly changed the ramps for stairs. </p> 
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