The cathedral's construction lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506. It is said that when the plans were drawn up, church elders stated, "Hagamos una iglesia tan hermosa y tan grandiosa que los que la vieren labrada nos tengan por locos." (Let us build a church so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it finished will think we are mad).
Seville has some of the most beautiful city parks in Europe, the Parque de Maria Luisa and the Plaza de España, as well as numerous plazas and open spaces where you can happily people watch for hours. For a leisurely stroll, it's hard to beat the Paseo de Colon on the banks of the Guadalquivir river which stretches from the bridge leading to the characterful area of Triana to the magnificent Toro de Oro.
If it’s after-dark ambience you’re after, this one’s ideally located for you – you can’t get closer to the action than on the Alameda de Hercules itself. Once notorious for its louche inhabitants, the recently revamped alameda is now the heart of bohemian Seville. This broad, tree-lined avenue, with its year-round buzzing outdoor scene, has innovative restaurants and bars.
See the Museums in Sevilla city and Sevilla province: Museo Arqueológico de Itálica, Museo de la Ciudad, Museo y Necrópolis Romana and more.
The Sevilla Fair might be all about drinking, dancing and parading about on horseback, but don’t think for a minute this means there are no rules for participants; in fact, the rules are very strict.
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 originates from the 13th-century coat of arms awarded to Sevilla by King Alfonso X the Wise.
Things to See in Seville, 10 min video tour A walking tour of the highlights of Seville by Simon Standish in 2016, take you round the main sights.
Much of Seville's interesting history can be seen first hand at one of the many buildings and other sites still standing in the city. Alternatively there is an abundance of museums and art galleries where one can gain insight into the past and present culture that makes up Seville.
Below we have included a bit more information on some of the finer details worth knowing. Learn about the different neighbourhoods or districts that make up the city or read up on the fascinating facts that everyone should know.
Seville is a marvel. It’s a city of various diverse (and wildly beautiful) neighbourhoods: the narrow alleyways of the Barrio de Santa Cruz are lined with glorious old palaces and stunning plazas… the Alfalfa, Triana, the Macarena and Santa Catalina, meanwhile, all teem with life.
Let the spirit of flamenco sweep you off your feet with a lively introduction to the roots and culture of this fiery dance form.
Some important Feria terms so you can sound like a local. Albero - traditional yellow sand (its colour is emblematic of Sevilla) on the ground of the recinto - can get dusty in hot weather, turns to mud when it rains. Alumbra(d)o - when all the portada´s lights are switched on, at midnight on Saturday. This is the traditional beginning of the Feria
The Real Club Sevilla Golf course requires strength and strategy to navigate the stands of well established trees and natural lagoons. Although flat with wide fairways, the trees make things more difficult and the undulating greens will test one's short game.
From Seville airport, you can head straight up into the Sierra de Aracena, a beautiful and little-known part of Andalucia. Visit a British-influenced mining town where football and golf were first played in Spain, and find out about this fascinating colony. You can also head to Cordoba, an easy two-hour drive, and then to Granada - with Seville, the three major historic Moorish cities of Andalucia.
Home to the Exposición Universal 1992,known as Expo 92, this area to the north of Triana now houses a technology park; La Cartuja, a 15th-century monastery which has a contemporary art centre; university departments; a theme park, Isla Magica and some excellent concert venues. You can visit some of the Expo 92 pavilions
Los Remedios is an area of wide, straight avenues (strangely for Seville, with its narrow, windy streets) and large blocks of modern flats inhabited by the smarter end of society - this is the city's only purpose-built residential district.
This area is between Plaza de Encarnacion and Plaza Nueva, and its main attraction is the shopping zone around calles Sierpes, Cuna and Velazquez/Tetuan. Come here to find excellent quality Spanish-made leather shoes, boots and bags, as well as the traditional fans and embroidered shawls - or just do as the locals do, and walk around browsing and discussing, before stopping for a coffee. Zara and Mango abound; other fashion chains include Blanco, Pull & Bear and Sfera.
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 planned in Seville.
Feria Paraphernalia. Each and every decorative element used in Seville’s spring fair has its own unique history. The paper lanterns that are strung across the fairgrounds first made their appearance on the scene at the 1877 fair.
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 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 new airport transformed the city.
