Flamenco music

The Giralda

Fourth largest city of Spain, capital of the southern province of Andalucia, birthplace of Roman emperors and inheritor of diverse cultures - Seville is certainly one of Spain’s most picturesque cities. As the old Spanish proverb as well as the title of a modern popular both say, "Si no ha visto Sevilla, no ha visto maravilla" ("If you have not seen Seville, you have not seen a wonder").

From the 11th to the 13th centuries when Spain was under the rule of the Muslims from North Africa, Seville was the leading city of Islamic Spain - and this Moorish heritage is still evident in the city’s buildings, place names and cooking. Conveniently sized to be explored on foot, the city remains the epitome of romantic Spain.

Situated on the Guadalquivir river which used to be navigable to the Atlantic Ocean 100 km away, Seville in the 16th century became Spain’s puerto y puerta de Indias ("Port and gateway to the Indies") and grew into one of the richest cities in Europe. Fuelled by wealth from the Americas, lavish buildings soon sprang up and artistic geniuses like Murillo, Zurburan and Velazquez found patronage among the wealthy citizens of the city.

Barrio Santa Cruz

A popular place to stay - and eat - is the former Jewish quarter, Barrio Santa Cruz which is just east of the famous tourist sights, the Cathedral and Alcazar. With its narrow winding streets, majestic homes like ‘Pilatos House’ and quaint buildings with wrought iron windows and potted plants hanging from narrow balconies the Barrio represents medieval Seville. Its small plazas invite the visitor to sit, relax and leisurely watch the world go by.

Cathedral and Giralda

Built on the site where the city mosque stood during Seville’s seven centuries of Islamic rule, the huge Gothic cathedral took a hundred years to complete. The minaret of the original mosque, now topped with a 16th century belfry and called the Giralda, is a beautiful example of Islamic craftsmanship. Ascent to the top, from where one gets a superb view of the city, is not by stairs but by a series of ramps - built to allow horse-borne riders to ascend! Within the cathedral (the third largest in Christendom after St Peter’s in Rome and St Paul’s in London) are paintings by masters like Murillo and Zurburan, centuries-old stained glass windows, an intricately carved facade behind the altar with 45 panels containing over a thousand gilded images - and the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Royal Palace (Real Alcazar)

Built on the ruins of the original Moorish castle (Al-Qasr) by King Alfonso X and later King Pedro of Castille (Pedro the Cruel), the Alcazar of Seville is a masterpiece of Mudejar craftsmanship. The Mudejars were Spanish Muslims who remained but were not converted to Christianity in the former Islamic territories of Spain after these were conquered by the Catholic kings. Mudejar art denotes their unique style of workmanship involving the intricate use of coloured tiles as well as elaborate brickwork and plaster carving , which is evident in Christian and secular buildings but strongly influenced by Moorish fashion.

Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bella Artes)

This 17th century museum (www.juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/museos/MBASE) houses some beautiful paintings by artists from Spain’s Golden Age. Essential viewing are the sculpture of Sant Jerome by Torrigiani, Murillo’s Immaculate Conception and Zurburan’s Christ on the Cross.

Flamenco dancing

Seville is the home of Flamenco music - and there is no better place to catch an authentic performance of typical Flamenco music and dancing than in this city.

Art, Architecture, Food and Festivals draw thousands of tourists to Seville each year – and the marvellous city certainly does not disappoint.

The city’s webpage is at: www.turismo.sevilla.org

Further information: http://spain-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/sights_to_see_in_seville.