Attractions

Santa Cruz and the Cathedral
Giralda
Reales Alcazares


The historic centre of Seville is located on the left-hand side of the river in a spot previously protected by the Almohade wall of which some ruins remain today. It contains some of the most famous neighborhoods of the city such as Santa Cruz, San Bartolome, San Vicente, San Lorenzo and El Arenal. On the right-hand side of the river stands the Arrabal suburb. These are the most interesting areas for the traveler to visit.

The rest of the city is built around a series of expansion projects, the most important being that carried our for the Latin American Exhibition of 1929, built along the southern stretch of the Guadalquivir River. In 1992, near the Cartuja Monastery, a new area was developed to the west of the city where Expo 92 was held.

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Santa Cruz and the Cathedral

A distillation of all that is typically Andalusian, the neighborhood of Santa Cruz (the old Jewish Quarter), the Cathedral, the Giralda, the Archivo de Indias (Archive of the Indies) and the Alcazar, are must-see monuments of Seville. They offer pleasures for the five senses, representations of history and legend and insights into Andalusian culture and sensibility.

Adorned with beautiful patios, multitudes of flowers and unbelievably narrow streets, the neighborhood of Santa Cruz stands in the middle of the historic centre of the city, protected by the walls of the Alcazar. Bordering the Jewish Quarter stands the Cathedral and related buildings, the most spectacular complex of monuments in the city.

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Giralda

The minaret of the old Moorish mosque, today the tower of the cathedral, is this city's landmark. In the time when it was built it was the highest building in the world. Today, including some additions made by the Christians with a huge bronze statue at its top, the Giralda measures 97,5 meters. You may enjoy from here a fantastic view over all the city.




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Reales Alcazares

Also this great Arabian style palace was built during various epochs. Its first fortifications probably date of 884 and were made to defend the town of the Normans. Later on Moorish Caliph Mohammed V. had built here a king's palace by architects and artists from Granada and Toledo.
But the major part of today's palace was constructed after the Christian reconquest of the town in 1248, by King Pedro "The Cruel".
Another important part, Casa de la Contratacion, was made after the discovery of America.
A visit is interesting in particular for the expositions of many objects of the Moorish epoch, including a collection of musical instruments. During the summer season frequently are performed concerts in the great gardens of the palace, which are a truly fantastic experience to listen to. This great Arabian style palace is interesting in particular.