Seville in Spain is the capital and the largest city of the community of Andalusia. The beautiful city is known for its flamboyant character. It casts a mesmerising spell on its travellers from the minute they set foot into it. A magical ambience awaits with a fairy-tale-esque charm of the elegant edifices, the horse-drawn carriages and stunning sights.
The city is particularly famous for its world renowned and feisty flamenco performances and the flamboyant festivals. So, here’s a list of things to do in Seville. Make sure you see and do everything
Alcazar
Alcazar sits on the top of the list of things to see in Seville. Built in the 13th century, Alcazar is a sight that can transport you to heaven in just a jiffy. The Alcazar fortress is definitely a high point in the history of architecture. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Prosperous Muslim Taifa (small kingdom), rulers together, developed the fort in the 11th Century; making it a great example of Islamic architecture with it magnificent arches and marble columns. But the kingdom was captured by King Fernando III who moved into Alcazar and made it his residence, a custom followed by his successor Monarchs.
Catedral de Sevilla
The Caterdral of Seville is the most majestic Cathedral and one of largest, most iconic churches in the world. The Cathedral stands on the site of what was originally a mosque built by the Almohad Dynasty. After Seville was captured by the Christians in 1248, it was used as a church, until it started decaying. It is said that the Church authorities deliberately wanted to construct it in all grandeur possible and it took a hundred years until construction was completed in 1502. Till today, it remains the largest Gothic Church in the world.
Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España
If you want to escape the city noise and spend a quiet day seeing beautiful sights, the Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España must be on your list. The plaza is spread over an enormous 50,000 square meters and is surrounded by Renaissance like Neo-Moorish style balconies and buildings. This landmark is also known as the ‘Venice of Seville’ as it affords tourists the opportunity to rent a rowboat and also opt for a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride all around the park. The archaeological museum is also located within the park.
Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts)
The exceptional Museo de Bellas Artes is in the Convento De La Merced, a structure built in the 17th century. After the Prado Museum in Madrid, it is this museum that houses the best collection of painting in all of Spain. You can see art work ranging from the Gothic Period to the more recent, 20th century collections. Paintings by famous Spanish artists like Velázquez, El Greco, Pachico and Alonso Cano are on display here. Other important exhibits are the masterpieces of Murillo and the religious paintings by Zubaran.
Real Maestranza Bull Ring and Bullfighting Museum
Bullfighting was a sport made famous by Spain. With a seating capacity for 14,000 spectators, the Maestranza is said to be the finest bull ring in Spain. It was built in the year 1761 and remains a famous Landmark. This oval shaped bull ring was designed in Baroque style and is one of most unique among all Spanish bullrings. Within the bullring is the Bull Fighting Museum where one can see an exhibit of traditional costumes, paintings and photographs of the days of bullfighting in Spain.
Conjunto Monumental de la Cartuja
Now famous for being the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, the Conjunto Monumental de la Cartuja is now a historic and off-beat art gallery. It is said that Columbus prayed here before he made a trip to the Americas. The structure has served as a monastery and a porcelain factory, but today it is known to be the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo. It is the Seville’s Modern art shrine and over the years has borne witness to some of the most bizarre art pieces.
Ayuntamiento (Town Hall)
The Ayuntamiento is a 15th century town hall designed by Diego De Riano in a style depicting figures and historical characters. It is believed that Seville was founded by Hercules and Ceasar and you can see their life stories carved onto the walls of the Ayuntamiento. The town hall is not open for public viewing and tourists need to book an appointment in order to see the interiors.
Museo del Baile Flamenco
Spain is home to the flamboyant dance form of Flamenco; what many call ‘an expression of the soul’. The Flamenco is a song and dance art form, with roots from the gypsy culture. The Museum of Flamenco celebrates the beauty and rhythm of flamenco. There are exhibits on every aspect of the dance form here; singing, dancing and guitar. An educational exhibit also features flamenco costumes from different eras and creative visual displays.
Apart from these there are a lot of modern day treasures that you can witness while you are in the city. Seville is a city that is blessed with both looks and personality. The charisma of Seville is enough to add the city to any traveller’s itinerary.
Be the first to comment