Seville Airport dates from 1914 when a permanent aerodrome was established on land used for an air show and for the first flight between Europe and Africa. The present terminal was opened in 1989. The architect Rafael Moneo designed the with three traditional components of Seville culture in mind
There are two bus stations in Seville, both located in the city centre: the Prado de San Sebastian bus station which serves the rest of the Andalucia region and the Plaza de Armas bus station which links Seville to Huelva, other regions of Spain and even to Portugal
Seville has hosted two Exposiciones Universales (known as Expos for short), where countries from around the world built pavilions to show the best of their industry, tecnnology and culture: the first in 1929 - Expo 29; and the second in 1992 - Expo 92. 1992 was a big year for Spain, as Barcelona hosted the Olympics, and Madrid was European Cultural Capital.
The Archivo General de Indias is situated next to the Cathedral, on Avenida de la Constitucion. This 16th-century building houses 80 million pages of documents and maps about the Indies (9km of shelving), Spain’s mighty empire from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, providing the most complete and documented historical view.
Seville City offers a variety of different language schools, catering for all levels from beginners to advanced. There are a number of larger chains of schools which you will see across Spain such as UniSpain, Clic, and Linc, and some smaller private run schools which offer a more local and relaxed learning atmosphere, such as Oneway (which offers its English as a foreign language courses).
Icon of Seville, the magnificent Giralda was the tallest building in the city for over 800 years, dominating the skyline at 103m. Originally built in 1195 as the minaret of the Aljama mosque, it is now the belltower of the cathedral, and is recognised as World Heritage by UNESCO.
The Torre del Oro (Golden Tower), which dominates the banks of the river Guadalquivir next to the Puente San Telmo, is a remnant of the Moorish fortified walls which originally enclosed the city, with 166 towers and 15 gates. A watchtower designed to protect the docks, its iconic shape makes it one of Seville's best-known monuments, after the Giralda which was built just a few years earlier.
This magnificent bullring is considered to be one of the finest in Spain and is one of the oldest and most important in the world. Although many of the younger generation in Spain abhor the sport, it remains phenomenally popular, especially in Seville, and the 'Catedral del Toreo' is the perfect place to experience the electric atmosphere of a corrida (bullfight).
The Parque Maria Luisa is a large green space to the south of the city centre, close to the river, with hundreds of exotic trees lining shady avenues, and historic, fairytale buildings, with exotic touches provided by colourful tiled benches, and Moorish fountains and pools.
Once a convent, this magnificent art museum has been lovingly restored and is now one of the finest in Spain. Located in a tiny plaza away from the city centre bustle, the building dates back to 1612, the work of architect, Juan de Oviedo.
This magnificent palace is one of Seville's most impressive buildings, and certainly the city's finest example of the baroque style. Situated to the south of the centre, between the Hotel Alfonso XIII and the river, its 40-million-euro, 10-year refurbishment finished in 2010. The palace is the seat of the Regional Government's President.
Tucked in between Avenida de la Constitucion and the river, El Arenal was home to the city's port, from where ships sailed to the New World - hence its name, from arena (sand), on the then-tidal river banks. These days, it's a well-heeled barrio with abacerias (shops selling conservas, tins and jars of food, and cheese), freidurias (fried fish takeways) and, as well as some good bars and restaurants.
The two most important are the Museo de Bellas Artes and the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo. One of the most prestigious of all Spain's Fine Arts Museums, the beautiful Museo de Bellas Artes is a former monastery and has a superb collection of art by Spain's most celebrated painters including Zurbaran, Murillo and Valdes Leal.
The first is Semana Santa (Easter Week) which is truly spectacular with extraordinary processions of masked penitents and carnival-style floats. People travel from across the country and around the world to witness this annual week-long event.
Tourist Offices in Seville City are Sevilla Centro, Triana, Seville Airport, and Santa Justa Station.
Seville has a long, rich and fascinating history. The Romans governed the whole of Spain for more than six centuries, their first colony, Italica, is close to the city, and can still be visited today.
Seville is a city rich with convents and monasteries. Groups of nuns scuttle down the streets going around their daily business and school girls, dressed in smart plaid skirts and shirts walk in single file throughout the city. Although there is restricted entry to many of the convents, most are inhabited by closed religious orders.
