Seville Things to do

Things to do and see in Seville

1.    Cathedral:
 

The enormous cathedral stands on the ground where a Mosque of the 12th century took place. It covers an area of 11,520 square meters with a central nave that rises 42 meters to the sky and side chapels as tall as an ordinary church with monuments of successive ages. The decoration is simple and there is a perfect balance between its parts.

What characterizes the main body of the cathedral is the chorus structure. Within the "Capilla Mayor" there is a Gothic woodcarving that represents 45 scenes of the life of Christ. The dome is just splendid. One of the cathedral's main attractions is Christopher Columbus tomb.

2.    Giralda Tower:
 

It was the minaret of the mosque previous to the cathedral and as the Lonely Planet on its Spain guide accurately describes it: "Its proportions, delicate patterned brick decoration and colour - which changes with the light- make it perhaps Spain's most perfect Islamic building". There are some additions made to the building by the Christians and opinion is divided on whether it has improved or spoiled the tower.

3.    Patio de los Naranjos:
 

It was once the courtyard of the mosque and as it is stated on the Andalucia web page "worshippers would wash their hands and feet in the fountain here - under the orange trees - before their daily prayers" . It is called the Orange Patio due to the fact that it has a plantation of over 60 orange trees.

4.    Mudéjar Palace - Alcázar:
 

There are several versions of the history of this place. Some affirm the Alcázar was built by Muslim rulers in the 10th century and others say it was King Pedro the cruel using Moorish workmen. Anyways it has been adapted and enlarged in many occasion depending on the monarchs. You can't miss this beautiful place with its rooms, chambers, patios and gardens.

5.    Archivo de Indias:
 

It is the main archive on the conquest and colonisation of America. "It houses over 40 million documents dating from 1492 through to the end of the empire in the 19th century" .

6.    Santa Cruz Quarter:
 

It was Seville's medieval Jewish quarter. "It is the most picturesque and delightful part of the city, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses" . The main attractions within it are:
 

-    Patio de Banderas.
-    Callejón del Agua.
-    Plaza Alfaro.
-    La Cerrajería.
-    Calle Santa Teresa.
-    Plaza Refinadores.
-    Plaza Santa Cruz.

7.    Casa de Pilatos:
 

The first Marquis of Tarifa tried to resemble in this building Pontius Pilate's palace in Jerusalem. Subsequent owners have contributed to the building over time which has resulted in a nice mixture of diverse architectural styles.

8.    City Walls and Gates:
 

Formerly Seville was a strongly fortified city. The walls were designed not only to defend the city but to prevent floods from the Guadalquivir River. From the original 166 watchtowers 9 gates only 3 of each of them remain. In terms of gates: Puerta de Córdoba, Puerta Macarena and Postigo del Aceite and towers: Torre de Oro, Torre de Plata and Torre Blanca.

9.    María Luisa park:
 

It is "a paradisiacal half mile of palms and orange trees, elms and Mediterranean pines, covered with flower beds and dotted with hidden bowers, ponds and pavilions" .

Look yourself in to one of the apartments in Seville. These are great options. You will find the prices affordable and the atmosphere so finely tuned you won't want to go anywhere else.