Skip to main content
Advertisement

Seville City - Fascinating Fact 7

The remains of Columbus in the cathedral of Seville. © Michelle Chaplow
The remains of Columbus in the cathedral of Seville.

Seville City - Fascinating Fact 7

By Fiona Flores Watson

7) THE CATHEDRAL-COLUMBUS CONTROVERSY

One of the most controversial of Seville´s many claims is that Cristobal Colón (Christopher Columbus) is buried here, in Sevilla´s mighty Gothic cathedral, variously described as either the third, second or biggest cathedral in the world (the other contenders being St Peter´s in Rome, and St Paul´s in London), depending on who you talk to.

The story goes that after Columbus died in 1506, his remains were buried first in Valladolid, then taken to Monasterio La Cartuja in Sevilla; thence to the Dominican Republic, and finally Havana, from where they were returned after Cuban independence in 1898. But others claim that the true remains are still in the Dominican Republic, and that his son Diego´s remains were mistakenly taken back to Sevilla instead of Christopher´s. In 2006 DNA tests verified that those in Sevilla cathedral were indeed Columbus senior´s, although who´s to say that other remains are not elsewhere?

Seville City - More Fascinating Facts

  • Fact 1 - Sevillano pride and predudice.
  • Fact 2 - Sevilla on the sliver screen.
  • Fact 3 - Anyone for tapas?
  • Fact 4 - Three Roman emperors were born just outside Seville.
  • Fact 5 - Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition in Seville.
  • Fact 6 - Seville's sign of the times.
  • Fact 7 - The Cathedral-Colombus controversy.
  • Fact 8 - The six bridges of Seville's Expo.
  • Fact 9 - Oranges and Lemons.
  • Fact 10 - Two faces of Seville.
  • Seville City - Fascinating Facts - Home

Sevillanos are very well-known, throughout Spain and the wider world, for their fierce pride in their city © Michelle Chaplow Sevillanos are very well-known, throughout Spain and the wider world, for their fierce pride in their beautiful city
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 1

Sevillanos are very well-known, throughout Spain and the wider world, for their fierce pride in their city.

Some of the film locations in Seville include the Plaza de España, Casa de Pilatos and the Alcazar © Michelle Chaplow Some of the film locations in Seville include the Plaza de España, Casa de Pilatos and the Alcazar
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 2

Sevilla is beloved of movie and TV directors for its range of well-preserved buildings from every era and style, from medieval to regionalist.

© Michelle ChaplowThe Italic settlement was founded by the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus The Italic settlement was founded by the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 4

No fewer than three Roman emperors were born just outside Seville. The Romans first arrived in Spain in 206BC, during a war against the Carthaginians, and stayed for 700 years battling the fierce… More →

Tapas these small, tasty dishes, now found all over the world, originated in Sevilla. © Michelle Chaplow Tapas these small, tasty dishes, now found all over the world, originated in Sevilla.
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 3

When you visit Seville, you will undoubtedly go out for tapas. These small, tasty dishes, now found all over the world, originated in Sevilla.

The logo of Seville © Michelle Chaplow The backstory on the logo of Seville
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 6

Visitors to Seville will notice a symbol on many signs around the city, from taxis and buses to sewer covers, consisting of the letters ´NO8DO´. This is the city´s logo, and legend says that it… More →

Callejon de la Inquisition © Michelle Chaplow Callejon de la Inquisition
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 5

This dark period in Catholicism´s history is still endlessly, if morbidly, fascinating, and it is rumoured that a museum on the Spanish church´s merciless 300-year purge of ´heretics´ is being… More →

The remains of Columbus in the cathedral of Seville. © Michelle Chaplow The remains of Columbus in the cathedral of Seville.
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 7

One of the most controversial of Seville´s many claims is that Cristobal Colón (Christopher Columbus) is buried here, in Sevilla´s mighty Gothic cathedral, variously described as either the third… More →

The Alamillo bridge was designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava, the spectacular 250-metre high Alamillo has a single arm to bear its entire weight. © Michelle Chaplow The Alamillo bridge was designed by world-famous architect Santiago Calatrava, the spectacular 250-metre high Alamillo has a single arm to bear its entire weight.
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 8

The 1992 Expo put Seville on the map. Andalucia had become poor and backward during the Franco era, and an injection of cash for new roads, a high-speed rail (AVE) linking Seville to Madrid and a… More →

The finest and most highly prized marmalade is made from the Seville orange. © Michelle Chaplow The finest and most highly prized marmalade is made from the Seville orange.
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 9

There´s a saying that Sevillanos are so astonished the British actually want to use their bitter oranges to make marmalade, that they reckon the pith is secretly used to make gunpowder.

Semana Santa in Seville © Michelle Chaplow Semana Santa in Seville - Virgen de la Estrella de Triana.
Seville City - Fascinating Fact 10

Seville is a city of dualities. If you´re a football fan, as many Sevillanos are, you´re either a betico or a sevillista, supporting Real Betis Balompie (green and white strip) or Sevilla Futbol… More →

Booking.com
Fascinating Facts