Seville, Spain

The capital of the quintessentially-Spanish region of Andalusia, Seville is an enchanting place of flower-filled patios, orange trees, bullfighting, great festivals, a grand Alcazar and huge Gothic cathedral. The site of modern Seville has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was the important city of Hispalis under the Romans. One of the earliest Moorish conquests (in 712 AD), Seville flourished under Islamic rule until the Christian conquest of the city in 1248. Seville’s cathedral, begun in 1402, is the largest Gothic building in Europe. Seville is full of history. All voyages to the new world were coordinated through this city. The wealth created during this time remains evident today.

• The Cathedral of Seville was built from 1401–1519 after the Reconquista on the former site of the city’s mosque. It is amongst the largest of all medieval and Gothic cathedrals, in terms of both area and volume. The interior is the longest nave in Spain, and is lavishly decorated, with a large quantity of gold evident. The Cathedral reused some columns and elements from the mosque, and, most famously, the Giralda, originally a minaret, was converted into a bell tower. It is topped with a statue, known locally as El Giraldillo, representing Faith. The tower’s interior was built with ramps rather than stairs, to allow the Muezzin and others to ride on horseback to the top.
• The Alcázar facing the cathedral has developed from the city’s old Moorish Palace; construction was begun in 1181 and continued for over 500 years, mainly in Mudéjar style, but also in Renaissance. Its gardens are a blend of Moorish, Andalusian, and Christian traditions.
• The Torre del Oro was built by the Almohad dynasty as watchtower and defensive barrier on the river. A chain was strung through the water from the base of the tower to prevent boats from traveling into the river port.
• The Town Hall, built in the 16th century in high Plateresque style by master architect Diego de Riaño. The Facade to Plaza Nueva was built in the 19th century in Neoclassical style.
• The University of Seville is housed in the original site of the first tobacco factory in Europe, La Antigua Fábrica de Tabacos, a vast 18th century building in Baroque style.
• The Plaza de España, in Maria Luisa Park (Parque de Maria Luisa), was built by the architect Aníbal González for the 1929 Exposición Ibero-Americana. It is an outstanding example of Regionalist Revival Architecture, a bizarre and lofty mixture of diverse historic styles, such as Art Deco and Neo-Mudéjar and lavishly ornated with typical glazed tiles.