Open the left menu seville. Seville (Spanish)

Seville is proud of luxury and glory, Beautiful in her past features

Seville is proud of luxury and glory, Beautiful in her past features, ...
(Byron. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.)

Perhaps the most famous city in Spain - Seville. Seville is spread along the banks of the Guadalquivir River in the south of Spain, in Andalusia, which has become famous for its beautiful cities with a rich history. BUT it is Seville that is called the pearl or even the heart of Andalusia.

According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules himself. Everyone here believes in the legend of Hercules without exception. In addition to Hercules, the contenders for the title of founding fathers are the Iberian tribe. For the centuries-old history of Seville, who just did not rule here - the Phoenicians (III century BC), the Romans, in the person of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
In the eighth century, Spain was conquered by the Arabs, who occupied this territory for five hundred years.
After the collapse of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the Taifa dynasty strengthened in Seville, under which the city flourished. In 1091, the Berbers conquered Seville. On November 22, 1248, the troops of Ferdinand III of Castile, after a month and a half siege, took Seville, which has since remained in the power of the Christian Spaniards. She was given the place of a shipyard.
In 1503, Seville was granted a monopoly on trade with discovered by Columbus West Indies. The Spanish proverb of that time was “Who has not seen Seville has not seen a miracle” (Quien no ha visto Sevilla no ha visto maravilla).

By Russian standards, the city of Seville is small, about 700 thousand people. Seville has the largest historical quarter in all of Europe, covering a vast area of more than 335 hectares.
A variety of cultural traditions can easily coexist in such a small area.

The very air is imbued with art here: for centuries, people have created a unique culture here, which has left a deep mark on the world's artistic history. Carmen, Don Giovanni and of course the Barber of Seville Figaro are associated with this place. Life rages and boils in Spanish blood, the most passionate dance on the planet, flamenco, was born in Seville.

Seville - tower
in a jagged crown.

Seville hurts.
Cordova buries.

Seville catches slow beats
and, shattered on stone faces,
they twist like labyrinths,
like vines on a fire.

Seville hurts.

Her plain, ringing from the heat,
like a stretched string, groans
under the ever-flying arrow
Guadalquivir.

Cordova buries.

She mixed, drunk from the distance,
in the patterned bowl of each fountain
honey of Dionysus
the bitterness of Don Juan.

Seville hurts.
This wound is eternal.

Fcderico Garcia Lorca

Joaquin Dominguez Becquer The Seville

Having become synonymous with passion, beauty and ardor, Seville has remained as beautiful as it was in the Middle Ages. The city is beautiful, it is drowning in a green haze of orange trees and palm trees. Seville (Spain) is rich in architectural and artistic sights.

golden tower
(Spanish: Torre del Oro, “golden tower”) is a landmark of Seville on the Guadalquivir embankment.

François Antoine Bossuet, "The Golden Tower, Seville.

The tower was part of the fortifications of Seville, from Torre del Oro powerful walls led to the Alcazar (the walls have not been preserved to this day). The shape of the tower was two dodecahedrons stacked on top of each other. The shape of the tower in the form of a polyhedron was not original for the architecture of the 13th century - this type of towers came from Byzantium and was already found in the architecture of the Cordoba Caliphate. The tower remained two-tiered until the 18th century, when the third tier was completed - a cylindrical lantern with a dome (which did not fit too well into the overall appearance of the tower). The tower was badly damaged during the powerful Lisbon earthquake of 1755.

The origin of the name of this tower is a matter of controversy. Some argue that the name comes from the golden color of the tiles covering it, while others claim that gold brought from the New World was stored in it. IN war time behind it at one end was attached a chain blocking the river. The other end of the chain was attached to a lost tower on the other side of the river. In the XX century. in this twelve-sided tower of the 13th century. with loopholes there is a small Maritime Museum.

Cathedral in Seville.
Seville Cathedral (Spanish Catedral de Sevilla) or the Cathedral of Maria de la Sede (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) - the largest gothic cathedral in Europe.

Francois Antoine Bossuet.

The Cathedral was built in 1401-1519 on the site of a former mosque left after the Reconquista. The cathedral consists of five side aisles, a large main chapel with a flaming vault, rising 56 m above the transept (cross nave). The chapter in 1401 decided “to build a church so good that it can never be surpassed. Let posterity admire it after its completion and say that those who dared to conceive this work were crazy.”

Replica of the Giralda weather vane

In the gloomy shadow of the cathedral, many relics and treasures are kept, including paintings by Murillo, Velasquez, de Zurbaran and Goya. It is said that the cross of the cathedral is made of the first gold brought by Columbus from America, and the remains of a navigator are said to be buried in the cathedral, i.e. right here istomb of Christopher Columbus.

The lead tomb of Columbus was moved from Seville to the Cathedral of Santo Domingo in 1544. It is believed that in 1795 his remains were transferred to Havana, and a hundred years later - from Havana to Seville. But somewhere along the way, everything got mixed up, and now it is generally accepted that the remains in the Seville Cathedral belong to the son of Columbus - Diego.

Nearby is the so-called Giralda - a bell tower 114 meters high with rich patterns and ornaments, containing 22 harmoniously tuned bells. It was built as a minaret in 1196 by Abu Yusuf Yakub, its height was 82 meters. A 32-meter superstructure was added in 1568.

Seville Alcazar

royal alcazar in Seville was originally a fort of the Moors, expanded several times. The first palace was built by the Almohad dynasty. Most of modern complex was built on the ruins of an Arab fortress by King Pedro I of Castile, the beginning of construction dates back to 1364. The palace is one of the best surviving examples of Mudéjar architecture. Gothic elements added later (during the reign of Charles V) contrast with the dominant Islamic style.

For almost 700 years it was the palace of the Spanish kings. The upper chambers of the Alcazar are still used by the royal family as the official residence in Seville.

Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida (SPANISH, 1863-1923)
PALACIO DE CARLOS V, ALCAZAR DE SEVILLA

The Alcazar of Seville is smaller than the Alhambra in Granada. The intricate floors, ceilings and walls are craftsmanship.
The Maiden's Patio (Patio de las Doncellas) is known for its friezes, tiles and stucco. The overall feel of an elegant summer retreat is complemented by beautifully manicured gardens lined with fragrant roses and orange trees.

Manuel Garcia y Rodriguez (1863-1925)

Raymundo de Madrazo y Garreta

Manuel Garcia y Rodriguez (1863-1925)

city hall

City Hall, formerly the Royal Tobacco Factory. The building of the XVIII century, now it houses the rector's office of the University of Seville and several faculties. It was here that the beautiful Carmen, the heroine of the novel by Prosper Merimee, once worked.

Semicircular Plaza of Spain

Mosaic paintings are dedicated to individual provinces - the kingdoms of Spain

Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla)

The Museum of Fine Arts has collected one of the richest collections of Spanish culture. The museum building dates from the 17th century. Previously, it housed the ancient monastery of La Merced.
This building became a repository of art in 1839, and from the original building it is beautiful
preserved gothic halls and alternating courtyards, created in the XIII century

The ancient part of the city (Casco Antiguo) consists of a labyrinth of narrow streets. Of the large squares, it is worth noting the St. Francis, Constitution Square, Ducal Square, Resurrection Square and Museum Square. One of the most popular streets is the winding snake Calle do Sierpes. Among the houses there are villas, built mainly in the ancient Roman style, with courtyards lined with marble. In addition, oriental architecture is common: many houses have flat roofs and a maximum of two floors. The right-bank district of Triana has been connected with the rest of the city by a steel bridge since 1848. There are many public fountains in Seville, most of which are supplied by the famous Canos de Carmona Viaduct, built back in the time of Julius Caesar.

The negative side of the charm of Seville is the inevitable commercialization of the city center. In the Barrio de Santa Cruz area, try to avoid restaurants that are obviously geared towards vacationers, and keep an eye on your wallets, bags, and cameras. Otherwise, relax and enjoy life. Wander the old streets and make your own discoveries. Visit shops, markets and bars where life is in full swing.

The history of Seville dates back to the Roman era. 10 km northwest of the city lie the massive ruins of Italica, where the emperors Hadrian and Trajan were born. Remains of Hispalis - a Roman settlement in Seville itself - includes an aqueduct (best seen from Callejón del Agua in the Barrio de Santa Cruz area), as well as columns and statues of Hercules and Julius Caesar on the Alameda. Hercules is considered the legendary founder of Seville, while Julius Caesar is a real historical person. The Moors settled here in 711, and in the next four centuries Seville reached its peak. It was the time of the reign of the Almohad dynasty, which left not only the Giralda minaret, but also the Mudéjar architectural style that retained a long influence.

The end of the golden age came in 1248, when King Fernando III of Castile conquered Seville from the Moors, but soon, following the discovery of America in the 15th century, Seville began to flourish again. Atlantic Ocean is located only 90 km from the Guadalquivir River, so the great navigators Ferdinand Magellan, Juan Sebastian Elcano and Christopher Columbus arrived in the port of Seville. Others followed, and the untold riches they brought made it possible to finance the construction of many city monuments.

Sights of Seville

Cathedral and Giralda

The cathedral does not look very attractive from the outside, but it stores many treasures, no less than the Giralda tower, now the majestic bell tower of the cathedral. This magnificent monument of the Almohad era was once the minaret of the Alhama mosque, on the site of which the cathedral was erected.

The construction of the Giralda was completed in 1198 by the architect Ali de Gomara. The tower was damaged during an earthquake in 1365, and then in the 16th century it was built on with a Renaissance bell tower with 25 bells of various ages and, finally, a weather vane, from which it got its name. Inside the 98-meter tower there is a ramp along which the muezzin, the minister of the mosque, who calls Muslims to prayer, rode a horse to the very top of the minaret in order to address the believers from there.

The Giralda and the cathedral can be reached through a large patio planted with orange trees and framed on both sides by horseshoe arches: this is all that remains of the former mosque. A double arch - Arabic and Gothic - leads from the patio into the cathedral, the third largest in the world (after St. Peter's in the Vatican and St. Paul's in London) where the late Gothic is combined with the Renaissance style. Its construction lasted over a hundred years, from 1403 to 1506. Start your tour with the main altar, a spectacular Flemish structure, which went to 2.4 tons of gold from Mexico and Peru. Its creation lasted 35 years. The intricate carvings are difficult to see from a distance, so arm yourself with binoculars. Behind you is another masterpiece - a kliros with wonderful carved seats. (XV-XVI centuries) Cuban mahogany. Take a closer look at the transept vault to see the masonry damaged during the famous Lisbon earthquake of 1778 and then restored. Bright stained-glass windows made in different time: The top row contains Gothic features, while the bottom row contains Renaissance features.

To the right of the transept is the so-called tomb of Christopher Columbus. His ashes are either here or in the mausoleum of Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic, in the second case, his son Diego rests here. The sacristy houses the cathedral's stunning treasures, including paintings by Murillo, Zurbaran and Goya. (the only ones in Seville), silver and gold bowls, crayfish and crosses for processions, studded with precious stones, a beautiful fold of the 12th century. and a massive monstrance. In the last part of the cathedral there is an oval chapter hall. This is the first building of its kind in Europe. In the Royal Chapel, where the highly revered statue of the Virgen de los Reyes is located (XII century), the patron saint of Seville, has a separate entrance from the square.

Santa Cruz area

To the east of the cathedral is charming area intertwining streets and small squares. The Santa Cruz area was a Jewish quarter from 1248, when Seville was recaptured from the Moors, until 1492, when the Jews were expelled from Spain. Here, in the ghetto, about 400 families lived. They had their own court and synagogue, but they paid taxes to the king. Now Santa Cruz has a completely different look. Since the 17th century it is a prestigious residential area and a popular tourist attraction.

Admire Seville's flowered patios, especially on Callejón del Agua, leading to Plaza de Santa Cruz. Previously, the main synagogue was located on the square; later it was turned into a church and then destroyed by the Napoleonic troops. Between the square and the cathedral stands the spectacular baroque building of the Venerables Hospital. (Plaza de los Venerables 8, tel. 95 456 26 96) built as an orphanage for priests. Its church is decorated with superb frescoes by Valdes Leal and his son Lucas.

Alcazar Palace

This is one of the oldest royal residences in Europe.

The oldest part of the Alcazar was built under the Almohads, but before that there was a Roman fortress, then an early Christian basilica and a Moorish castle. What you see today is mostly created under Pedro I in 1362, around the same time that the Nasrid palace in Granada's Alhambra was being built. A century later, Isabella I added one wing, and another 100 years later, Emperor Charles V added a palace for his Portuguese bride to the complex.

From the entrance (where you can rent a tour player) you enter the Patio de las Donsellas, a beautiful vaulted courtyard with magnificent cedar wood marquetry, original greenery tiles and whimsical stucco work. The upper floor is reserved for the official royal residence, and the adjoining Charles V Hall with a wonderful artesonado (coffered vault in Mudéjar style) mahogany was added in the XVI century. The red and gold painting is evidence of a 19th-century restoration, as the Moorish and Mudéjar palette included mainly blues and greens.

The most interesting rooms are located in the enfilade of bedrooms and reception rooms. Among them is the magnificent Salon de Embajadores. (Hall of Ambassadors), crowned with an amazing cedar dome with images of Catholic kings standing on the balconies. Horseshoe-shaped arches are the entrance to a bright dining room open to the garden. Pay attention to the exquisite decoration made by Persian craftsmen after the fire that destroyed the original building. Next comes the lovely Patio de las Muñécas (Dolls Yard, so named because of its small size). It is also called Patio dela Reina (Queen's Yard) because there are screens with holes through which, as in a harem, court ladies could look. The open upper gallery was intended for musicians.

From the chapel at Pedro I's Palace, walk through the garden to Charles V's palace dominated by tapestries (1740) on the subject of the capture of Tunisia. Next, you enter the magnificent Alcazar Gardens next to the pool of Mercury at the decorative volcanic rock.

Marie Louise Park

In 1893, the Duchess Marie-Louis-za de Montpensier donated part of the vast territory of the San Telmo Palace to the city. In 1929, the Ibero-American Exhibition was held here, so the 38-hectare park is dotted with all sorts of architectural curiosities.

Start your tour at the Palacio de San Telmo, built in 1734 for the world's first navigational school and later the palace of the Dukes of Montpensier. It now houses the government of Andalusia. A little further away stands the imposing building of the Tobacco Factory. (now part of the University of Seville), known from the novel by Prosper Merimee "Carmen" (1845) , on the basis of which Wiese wrote the famous opera.

The park is dotted with paths and paths connecting its various corners and structures built for the Ibero-American Exhibition of 1929. Each building now carries a functional load, whether it be a consulate, a museum, an art school, a flamenco school or a police station. (former pavilion of Brazil). The National Pavilion of Spain occupied a magnificent building in the semicircular Plaza de España. Designed by Anibal González, this huge New Andalusian Baroque masterpiece features brick and hand-painted tiles. (from Valencia, Toledo and Seville). Each Spanish province is presented here in the form of mosaic paintings on the themes of the most significant historical events, and three charming bridges are thrown across the surrounding canal. Pay attention to the fabulous artesonados - marquetry ceilings above the side stairs of the pavilions and bypass the gypsies-fortune-tellers for a mile away.

Walk another 275m south towards Plaza America, where the two museums are located. Museum of Arts and Folk Costumes in a Grandiose Mudéjar Pavilion (Plaza de America 3, tel. 9547123 91, closed on Mon.) worth a visit for the ceramics exhibition on the ground floor. Meeting Archaeological Museum in the plateresque style pavilion (Plaza de America, tel. 95 478 64 74, closed on Mon.) contains an excellent collection of various rarities, including Phoenician statues, Carambolo gold treasures, Roman monuments and pottery.

Seville is one of the most famous cities in Spain, which the whole world knows about. Its sunny and fertile climate attracted many civilizations: Carthaginians, Phoenicians and Romans. In ancient times, a very small Iberian village stood on the site of the city. But in the III century. BC. it passed into the hands of the Romans, from which its unprecedented flourishing began. Legends say that Seville is the birthplace of the famous Roman emperors Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. The city also became the birthplace of the legend of the famous libertine and voluptuary Don Juan, who became the most famous artistic character. It was from Seville that Christopher Columbus went to look for New World, and the gypsy Carmen, the heroine of Merime's short story, met with Don Jose and Torero Escamillo.

Seville is a unique, colorful and beautiful city, with passionate flamenco, exciting bullfighting and endless festivities, which perfectly reflects the Spanish national character.

Climate and weather

Seville has a Mediterranean climate with continental elements. It is characterized by very hot summers and mild winters without snow. average temperature in a year is 18.6 °C. The coldest month is January (5.2°C) and the warmest is July (35.3°C). At the same time, every year several times the thermometer column certainly rises above 40 ° C.

The average amount of precipitation per year is 500-600 mm, with most of it falling in April and October, and the rainiest month is December. In total, there are 52 rainy day and no more than 3 snowy days when the temperature can drop below 0 °C.

Nature

Seville is located in the province of the same name, which is part of the region of Andalusia. The city is located in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, on the banks of the navigable river Guadalquivir. The city blocks of Los Remedios and Triana are located on the opposite side of the river.

Of all the trees that grow in the local parks and squares, bitter oranges and hacaranda stand out.

Bananas, oleander and jasmine are also common.

Attractions

Seville is divided into two parts by the Guadalquivir River. On its left bank is historic district of the city, and on the right is the colorful and iconic region of Tirana for Spain, which is a favorite place for bullfighters, flamenco performers and sailors. There are a huge number of Spanish restaurants that are very popular among tourists.

In the former Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz is the Cathedral of Santa Maria - the first largest in Spain and the third largest in Europe. The building is designed in the traditional Gothic style, and later extensions belong to the Renaissance style. Here is the symbol of the city - the Giralda Tower, which is a former minaret. With her observation deck spectacular views of Seville. The palace of the rulers of the city of Alcazar is also noteworthy.

The Moorish Golden Tower, located on the embankment of the river, attracts a keen interest of tourists. It was built to protect the harbor in 1220 and now houses the Maritime Museum. Not far from the tower is the university. Its building previously housed a tobacco factory, which became the setting for Mérimée's short story "Carmen". Nearby is a steel bridge that leads to Tirana. It overlooks the bullring and Columbus Avenue.

The symbolic place of Seville is the palace of the Duke of Medinaceli, which combines the Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance styles. The palace was nicknamed Pilate's House, because. earlier, processions began from here, symbolizing the Way of the Cross of Christ.

Nutrition

The traditional cuisine of Seville is based on homemade recipes. The menu of all restaurants necessarily includes specialties of the region. The most popular of these are Flemish eggs, stuffed wild artichokes, kidneys in sherry, asparagus omelet, gazpacho and fried fish. There are also many restaurants that offer not only Andalusian and Spanish cuisine, but also dishes from other countries.

First of all, it is customary to order “tapas” from restaurant visitors, i.e. snacks. This is an old tradition with many rituals and customs associated with it. In order to get to know the cuisine of Seville well, you need to try many dishes that are offered in the local taverns and bars: gazpachos, salads, salmorejos, etc. In addition, throughout the year Seville's bars treat guests to excellent ham from the Huelva mountains, lobsters from Sanlúcar and fried fish. All this is washed down with local wine (for example, manzanillas), wine from nearby areas (montilla and sherry) or fresh golden beer.

Accommodation

The city is ready to offer its tourists and guests a wide variety of accommodation options: family hotels, luxury hotels and business hotels, apartments and cottages for rent, private houses, inexpensive hostels and boarding houses. Therefore, here for the duration of your stay, you can easily find accommodation for every taste at an affordable price. However, during the high season it may be necessary to walk around a bit to find suitable accommodation, and for holiday visits it is recommended to book in advance.

The best hotels in Seville are the Hotel Alfonso XIII, the Gran Melia Colon and the Barceló Renacimiento. top quality all amenities are provided and professional service does not cause complaints (from 100 € per day). Cheaper hotels are located outside the historical part of the city and in the suburbs (from 18 €).

Entertainment and recreation

In the historical part of Seville, there is an entertainment theme park "Magic Island", which allows you to get acquainted with a wide variety of peoples and countries. It is also offered to visit the planetarium, ride the monorail and high-speed slides, watch a laser show or a water show.

But the most favorite entertainment in the city is visiting a party where a flamenco dance is performed. To do this, it is better to head to the Tirana region, where people of creative professions and free views live.

Another traditional Seville entertainment is bullfighting. Nowhere in Spain, except in Seville and Madrid, there are so many fans of this exciting spectacle, nowhere else are so many fights. Big arena built for bullfighting in Seville

Traveling around the city in horse-drawn carriages has also become a popular entertainment for tourists. This type of transport has long been outdated, but its popularity is not waning.

As the main commercial, industrial and tourist center region, Seville has also become the center of constantly changing holidays, which are celebrated here very violently and cheerfully.

Purchases

One of the features that characterize Seville is the old trading tradition of the city, which has developed over many centuries. In Seville, handmade ceramic crafts are very popular, which originate in the era of Arab domination. It was the oriental people who taught the Spanish masters how to paint ceramic products and how to glaze them. The Tirana area is the ceramic center of the city; numerous shops and shops of local craftsmen are concentrated here.

In addition to earthenware vases, plates and pots, you can buy handmade lace, embroidery and mantillas on the city streets. Moreover, one of the fundamental conditions for a successful purchase is bargaining, which is more than appropriate in Seville.

Recently, Seville has been major center not only trades, but also fashion. The city houses the workshops of eminent designers who are members of the Seville Fashion Association and the Andalusian Fashion Center.

In addition, in Seville there are traditional bazaars under open sky where you can buy absolutely any product.

Transport

Very organized in Seville convenient system urban public transport. Most buses run here frequently and allow you to get to almost anywhere in the city. Ticket can be bought at a newsstand, with a green ticket (10 trips) for 5 €, and a red one (10 trips with transfers) for 6 €. Along with them, there are plastic bonobus travel cards that can be replenished and used for a very long time.

The Seville metro is divided into 3 zones, the fare is 1.30 € for one zone and 4.50 € for all 3 zones, and the number of trips per day is not limited.

For cyclists, there are docking stations in the city where you can rent a bike. And you can hand it over at any other docking station. The rental price is the first 30 minutes free of charge and then 1 € per hour.

Connection

In all areas of the city there are telephone booths and Telefonica machines, from where you can make calls abroad. And much cheaper than from a hotel. The call is paid for with coins or Tarjeta telefonica telephone cards sold in hotels and tobacconists (from 6 €).

Cellular communication in Valencia, as well as throughout the country, is supported by GSM 900/1800 standards. Roaming is available for all major operators in Europe.

For those wishing to use Internet services in the city there are a large number of Internet cafes. The average cost is from 1.4 € per hour on the Web.

Safety

Seville is a major tourist center with a fairly high level of security. However, here, as in other crowded cities, cases of theft are possible. Therefore, when going for a walk in crowded places, you should not take large sums of money and valuables unnecessarily, and you should not leave bags and clothes unattended in restaurants and cafes.

In addition, you need to be wary of scammers who come up with all sorts of tricks. For example, a person approaches a tourist, asks to be photographed and disappears. Then his partner accuses the hapless traveler of stealing.

Business climate

In order to start a business in Seville, favorable conditions have been created. However, it must be remembered that the registration of a company does not provide the right to obtain a visa for permanent residence (1 year). Visa problems are solved by buying real estate.

The most profitable investments in Seville are tourism and restaurant business.

Real estate

IN this moment Seville is one of the most promising places to buy property in Spain. To date, prices for it have fallen more than in other regions of the country. This is due to the absence of foreign buyers, who are an influential force in the Spanish real estate market. Analysts are confident that gradually prices in Spain will go up again, and in Seville they will grow most significantly. Now in the city center you can find an apartment for 50,000 €, and for 100,000 € - a house, which is a very profitable offer on the Spanish real estate market.

Tickets for all entertainment and cultural events sold only in specialized kiosks, museums and stadiums. Flamenco and bullfighting performances are quite expensive events, tickets for them must be bought in advance. And in no case should you do it on the street - fraud is possible.

All city beaches are municipal and the entrance to them is free. However, the rental of umbrellas and sun loungers is paid extra.

But also a city that is a real concentration of the Andalusian spirit and Andalusian culture. Seville is an absolutely special city for Andalusia, it stands out for the luxury of its architecture, temperament, and economic and political significance. It is not for nothing that the city has a population of 700,000 people and is the most populated in Andalusia and the 4th most populous in Spain.

For the grace of architecture, romantic narrow streets and boats sailing through the city reservoirs, it was called the “Spanish Venice”. The city is famous not only for its architecture, with its striking Cathedral, considered the largest Catholic church in Europe by cubic capacity, and Plaza de España, one of the most beautiful public squares in the world, but also for its temperament.

The love of the townspeople for holidays, dancing, fun and theater has become simply legendary and embodied in culture in such characters as Don Juan, Carmen and Figaro.

Seville during the Roman Empire

Seville, according to one of the ancient legends, was founded by Hercules, which once again expresses the power of this southern capital Spain. The first civilization to settle in the territory modern city, there were tribes of the Iberians, who were later replaced by the Phoenicians, who were active in trade in the Mediterranean. As in other cities of southern Spain, the Romans came to power here around the 3rd century BC. During this era, the importance of the city increased significantly. The significance of Seville in the political life of the Roman Empire is evidenced only by the fact that the Roman emperors Mark Ulpius Nerva Trajan (lat. Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus) and Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus (lat. Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus) were born in it. Both of these emperors belong to the so-called "five good emperors of Rome", whose reign was distinguished by stability and the absence of repression, and the Roman Empire itself reached its highest dawn. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the Visigoths made Seville their capital.

Seville in the era of Muslim rule

The Muslims captured Seville in 712, giving it the status of the chief city of the province of Ixbilla (إشبيلية). Actually, the modern name of the city itself comes from this Arabic name. The year 844 was tragic for the city, which was captured and almost completely destroyed by the Normans.

During the period of Muslim rule, the city was increasingly inferior in political and economic importance to the capital of the Caliphate of Cordoba, Córdoba. After the caliphate ceased to exist, the Abbasid dynasty gained power over the city. True, she did not last long in power, already in 1090 the city was captured by the Berbers, who arrived from North Africa.

Seville after the Reconquista

The next important page in the history of Seville began after the completion of the Reconquista and the recapture of the city by the Catholics in 1248. The siege lasted as long as 16 months, and the victory turned out to be an extremely significant event for the then monarch Ferdinand III. Christians appreciate the benefits geographical position cities and built a shipyard and a port in the city, which later had a very important impact on the history of the city.

The main turning point in the history of the city was the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. It was in Seville, in the royal castle of Alcazar, that the department responsible for equipping and planning expeditions to the New World, as well as organizing political life in the new colonies, was located. It was here that the "gold streams" from America flocked, and the gold and silver of the New World made the city fabulously rich, which, of course, manifested itself in its architecture, as well as in the growth of its political significance. Spanish monarchs increasingly began to spend time in this city.

But even after trade with the colonies somewhat lost its significance over time, Seville continued to play a crucial role in the history of Spain. For example, during the capture of Spain by the French troops of Bonaparte, it was this city that became the main city of the Spanish resistance.

Seville in modern history

The city played an important role in civil war. On July 18, 1936, an anti-republican coup took place in the city, led by the famous General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano (Spanish: Gonzalo Queipo de Llano). Seville becomes one of the first cities to come under the control of the Nationalists.

Today Seville is one of the most visited cities in Spain, the city plays a central role in the economy, politics and culture of the autonomous community of Andalusia, being its capital.

Attractions

Of course, a city with such a rich history, which played an important role throughout almost the entire history of Spain, starting from the time of the Roman Empire, has a rich architectural heritage, which is extremely difficult to describe in one article. Therefore, we will try to concentrate on the most important and interesting sights of Seville.

Cathedral of Maria de la Sede (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede). This grand building is considered not only a symbol of the city, Andalusia and Spain, but even one of the symbols of the Catholic world as a whole. In a record short time for that time (about 100 years), one of the largest Catholic churches in the world in terms of cubic capacity was erected in Seville.
Giralda (Spanish: Giralda). The 114-meter-high minaret, which remained from the time of the mosque, was rebuilt into a Catholic bell tower and is now considered a symbol of the city. Giralda, which combines elements of Christian and Arabic architecture and rises above the city roofs, gives the whole city a special charm.
Palace - fortress Alcazar (Spanish: Reales Alcázares de Sevilla). The majestic castle, which has been the residence of local rulers since the Roman era. Then the castle was completely rebuilt by the Muslims who settled in it, and later by the Spanish monarch Pedro I, who thoroughly reconstructed it in the Mudéjar style.
Palace of the Archbishop.
Plaza de España. Plaza de España is made in the form of a semicircle, striking in its architectural elegance and is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The building framing the square is the building of the government of Andalusia. The lower tier of the balustrade is lined with stunning ceramic panels telling about the history of Spain.
Maria Luisa Park (Spanish: Parque de María Luisa) - favorite place rest of the townspeople. The park is richly decorated architectural elements in the art deco style, and in its dense greenery locals find shelter from the scorching sun.
Golden Tower (Spanish: Torre del Oro), built in the 13th century and so named because it was here that treasures from the countries of colonial America were brought.
Archive of the Indies (Spanish: Archivo General de Indias). An archive that contains many interesting documents, manuscripts, maps related to the life of Columbus and travels to the New World. The Archive building and its exhibits are classified by UNESCO World Heritage Humanity.
Archaeological Museum (Spanish: Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla), located in the Place de l'America on the edge of the Maria Luisa Park, contains a rich collection of artifacts from the Tartessian and Roman periods.
Old tobacco factory (Spanish: Antigua de Tabacos). Currently, the faculties of the University of Seville are located in the factory buildings.
Pilate's House (Spanish: Casa de Pilatos) is one of the most beautiful palaces in the city.
Mercy Hospital (Spanish: Hospital de la Santa Caridad) - Historical building inextricably linked with the name of Don Juan.
The Church of Iglesia del Segrario is one of the most beautiful churches in the city built in the 17th century.
Santa Cruz area (Spanish: Santa Crus). Perhaps the most romantic area of the city: snow-white houses, narrow streets, well-groomed patios, old mansions, are unlikely to leave anyone indifferent.
Guadalquivir River (Spanish: Guadalquivir). Of course, one cannot ignore the river, which played such an important role in the history of the city, because it was through it that gold was delivered to Seville from the New World. Now you can take a romantic boat trip through the Guadalquivir and visit maritime museum in the golden tower
Triana area. The area can be called a direct opposition to Santa Cruz. The houses here are randomly arranged, the streets are noisy, the low voices of flamenco singers are heard. Here you can find corrals - rather large houses in which they used to live as in communes.
Museum of Fine Arts. Founded in 1835, the Museum of Fine Arts has a rich collection of works by both Spanish and foreign artists and is considered one of the finest art galleries in Europe.
Roman Italica (Spanish Italica). Not far from Seville are the remains of the ancient Roman city of Santipons. History was once made in this place, and such great personalities as the Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born.

Events in Seville

Seville is famous not only for its architecture, but also for the traditions associated with the holidays. Many holidays are held here, in each of which the love for holidays, music and dance inherent in the townspeople is manifested. Among all the holidays in the city, a special place is occupied by the April Fair and Holy Week:

April Fair

One of the most fun and unbridled holidays in Andalusia. For a whole week, the city is in an atmosphere of unbridled fun, traditional Andalusian motifs sound in the air, dances take place everywhere, locals dress in bright, traditional costumes, and wine flows like water. Initially, this holiday was associated exclusively with the fair held in the city, which is why it got its name.

Holy Week

This is one of the most important religious holidays not only in Andalusia, but throughout Spain. Religious processions made by people in cone-shaped hoods, with a stretcher on their hands, who repent of their sins, are known far beyond the borders of Spain. The gloomy pictures of the Passion of Christ depicted on a stretcher and the processions of tragic people in hoods contrast with the dancing and fun that takes place after them throughout the city.

Seville is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community in Andalusia and the province of Seville on the plain of the Guadalquivir River and a short distance from the coast. Seville is the fourth city in Spain by population of 703,000 according to the 2011 census. Old city Seville is the third largest in Europe with an area of 4 square kilometers and three UNESCO heritage sites.

Climate and weather in Seville

Seville holds a certain record, namely, it is the warmest metropolis in Europe, with summer average high temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius. Seville has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, but summers are drier than in other areas. mediterranean sea and winters are wetter. The average annual temperature is 25 degrees. After Cordoba, Seville has the hottest summer among major cities Europe. Summer temperatures are almost always above 30 degrees Celsius, winter temperatures are from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Population of Seville

With just over 700,000 inhabitants, Seville is one of the few cities in Spain that last years is losing population, despite the proximity of Africa and the opportunities for potential migrants to get here.

Life of Russians and Ukrainians in Seville, reviews

As for the Russians and Ukrainians in Seville, there are few of them, but they still exist, but it is difficult to single out certain areas of the accumulation of Russian-speaking citizens. Many who wanted to live in Seville were simply fascinated by local attractions, but it is worth remembering that tourist trip and life in a particular city are two different things. As a rule, the best life is where there are few sights, for example, in Seville there is more architectural and cultural heritage than in all of Canada and Australia combined, but as for the quality of life, this is a completely different opera.

Advantages and disadvantages, advantages, pros and cons of living in Seville

Seville is an attractive city for tourists, but as often happens tourist life far from reality, in Seville there are problems in finding a job, Seville is losing population, locals are trying to leave this beautiful city gardens in other regions of Spain. Until 2008, Seville experienced a construction boom, which ended abruptly, the region's economy is recovering from the crisis, but at a slower pace than the rest of Spain.

In general, the city is not considered attractive place to move here permanently.

Standard of living in Seville

Beauty is a terrible thing, it can overcome all other hardships, those who fell in love with the Seville architect and local flavor can hardly prove anything, such people will find themselves in this place. The standard of living in Seville is lower than in other cities in Spain, but at the same time, here are the cheapest prices.

Security and crime in Seville

Seville is a safe city, all the crime may be due to the fact that Seville has a relatively high unemployment rate and too many rich foreign tourists come here, which we advise to be on the lookout.

Economy of Seville

Seville is the most densely populated city in southern Spain and has the largest GDP. The modern prosperity of Seville began with the World Exhibition in 1992, after which investments began to flow into the city, this concerns infrastructure, a large number of innovative enterprises, including the aircraft industry. Seville boasts a great deal of interest from business travelers, with large conference halls and trade fair venues being built. Nevertheless, the crisis of 2008 hit the city very hard, the construction boom was knocked down, but at the same time prices fell sharply. Today Seville has restored its economy, unemployment has been reduced.

Seville Tourism

Seville is primarily associated with tourism, there are a large number of architectural sights, you can walk around the museums and parks of the city. The main point of attraction is Plaza de España, which has an oval shape, in which different styles are guessed, including Art Deco, the square was built to world exhibition 1929. In addition, in Seville there are such masterpieces as the Cathedral of St. Mary, the Alcazar, the watchtower of Torre del Oro, the City Hall, the San Telmo Palace, the Archive of the Indies, tourists specially come to the city to visit the museum fine arts Seville. You can take a walk in the Parque de Maria Luisa, the gardens of the Alcazar, Murillo, Catalina de Ribera, del Alamilo and the relatively new american park. During Holy Week, the city hosts the most colorful festivals in Spain.

Cuisine of Seville

The city is known for being the birthplace of Spanish tapas. The city of Seville is buried in trees - Bitter oranges, which in a certain season of the year cover many streets, until recently, marmalade was made from these oranges, for example, oranges were sent to the UK for this purpose, today the chemical industry has whitened bitter oranges, which are used today only for compost at the local level. On the Internet you can see many photos where the streets of Valencia were simply drowned in oranges, no one uses such bitter fruits for food, but they can be used to make skin lotion. According to legend, the Arabs brought the bitter orange to Seville from East Asia through Iraq in the 10th century to beautify patios and gardens and provide shade.

Jobs and vacancies in Seville. Salaries in Seville

Seville cannot boast of an advanced economic performance, as for southern region there is a high GDP, but comparing Seville with northern Spain is not legitimate. Average salaries in Seville are relatively low, a big gift would be a salary of 1800 euros for a qualified employee, finding work for young people is a big problem. Young people often choose to leave the city and go to Madrid for big salaries and career opportunities.

Housing, apartments, houses and real estate Seville, rental prices

Sevilla is very cheap city by Spanish standards. Prices for renting an apartment can start from 200 euros, the price of a square meter of residential real estate can start from 1000 euros, which is two times lower than the average in Madrid or Barcelona.