Seville
is probably Spain’s most iconic city. With over 700,000
inhabitants, it's the most important city in Andalusia
and both the capital of the province of the same name
and the seat of regional government of the Autonomous
Andalusia Community.
The city played an important role in the
discovery, conquest and commerce between Spain and the
American continent thanks to its location on the plains
of the Guadalquivir River, which can be navigated all
the way to its mouth into the Atlantic coast.
F
ounded
around 200 B.C. by the Romans, they made the region the
center of their Western Mediterranean dominions for
seven centuries. Heritage of this period is still
visible in the nearby ruins of Italica.
From 711 A.D. to 1248 A.D., the Moorish
left indelible traces in Seville and the region; la
Giralda, the tower of an important mosque, is the most
well-known icon of the remaining Islamic monuments.
In the 18th century, Seville was the
birthplace of important painters such as Velázquez,
Murillo and Valdés Leal; and sculptors like Martínez
Montañés. In literature, Seville was the birthplace of
the myth of Don Juan.
In
recent history, Seville has been in the center of the
world's attention twice: first in 1929 when it hosted
the Latin American Exhibition and for the second time in
1992, when it hosted Expo92, the world exposition. Both
events left important urban improvements in the city,
molding it as a modern and dynamic city that is also
full of history.
Seville is the birthplace of Spanish
tapas. Tapas are starters in virtually all flavors and
forms which often end up being a full meal. And with
more than a thousand bars and restaurants, the choice of
food in Seville is unlimited, from seafood to ham and
sausages and from vegetables to cheese.
Nearby,
four important wine regions can be found, Jerez being
the most important one (or best known) and the home to
the sweet wine known as Sherry.
Seville claims to be birthplace of the
typical Spanish Flamenco dance, although Jerez claims
the same. Anyway, if you want to see the true flamenco
at a tablao, bar or on a street corner, Seville is the
place to go.
With
over 300 days of sunshine
and a mild winter, Seville is
also a place to find good weather (almost) all year
round. “Almost” because August can get extremely hot :-(
And of course, as in any Spanish city,
locals are specialists in celebrating local "Fiestas"...
HISTORICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCURSIONS
Granada. This city is probably best known for the
Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, and its
impressive Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding the city.
Ecija.
This town is the home to several magnificent baroque
churches whose towers feature brilliantly colored tiles.
Jerez. Home to one of the most
famous wines in the world: the Sherry.
Cádiz. Founded in 1104 BC, Cádiz is the most
ancient city still standing in Western Europe.
Carmona. An architecturally
outstanding village, its center is known for the
imposing Mudejar towers, renaissance townhouses and the
fascinating Roman necropolis.
CLICK THROUGH THE LINKS BELOW FOR
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SEVILLE,
SPAIN
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