Festive and fervent, Seville singlehandedly encompasses the splendour of southern Spain. Its cultural heritage inherited from the 3 major religions makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The Andalusian capital is known for its religious festivals and its lively and varied nightlife. A former port which saw ships departing to conquer the world, the monumental city of Seville offers a thousand opportunities to both be amazed and enjoy relaxation.
The glorious past of Seville is not just down to good luck. Situated on the banks of the River Guadalquivir, the city's prosperity stemmed from its port. The Greeks, Romans and Visigoths all settled there throughout its history and in 712 AD, the city fell under Arab control, experiencing a major period of prosperity. The city further broadened its horizons with the Catholic reconquest and expeditions to the New World, attracting residents such as Magellan, Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci, then continued to flourish after gaining a monopoly on Spanish trade with America. However, the Great Plaque of 1649 was to signal the city's downturn.
In the 20th century, the Andalusian capital thrived once again, playing host to the Universal Exposition in 1992 and investing in modern infrastructures. The 4th largest city in Spain, located at the heart of the plain of Guadalquivir, Seville now boasts a metro, tramway, high-speed train to Madrid, international airport and dynamic industrial economy, notably specialising in the agri-food sector.
The history of Seville is fully encapsulated in its cathedral. The largest cathedral in Spain, its immense gothic structure was built over the period between 1402 and the 16th century on the site of the former Almohad mosque, with a 96-metre minaret which has been preserved and converted into a bell tower known as the Giralda, housing the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Alcázar of Seville is a palace originally constructed by several Muslim caliphs and later added to by Alfonso X and Charles V. The palace is described as an architectural marvel, featuring a combination of Muslim and Gothic art. The Plaza de España and Maria Luisa park were constructed for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and are also impressive sights. Additional must-see attractions include the Archive of the Indies and the Torre del Oro (Gold Tower) erected in the 12th century on the banks of the Guadalquivir. However, a summary of Seville would not be complete without mentioning the city's close connections with bullfighting, including the 14,00-seater Maestranza arena, not to mention its catalogue of festivals - a true period of celebration, the Seville Spring Fair takes place after Holy Week just before Easter, while a host of additional events staged throughout the year lend Seville an almost permanent festive atmosphere, effortlessly supported by major festivals such as the Bienal de Flamenco and the city's range of evening entertainment. An old Spanish song sums up the friendly spirit and beauty of the city - "Quien no ha visto Sevilla, no ha visto maravilla" (He who has not seen Seville, has not experienced wonder).
- Time difference: aucun décalage horaire
- Currency: Euro
- Contacts and useful links:
Séville Airport
Destination served by:
Français
Séville
