Fans of the UNESCO World Heritage List are sure to find some must-sees in Seville. With an ancient past in which all kinds of peoples played a role, this city offers a series of fascinating historical sights. But you can also experience authentic Spain in the streets of various old neighborhoods.
From the Greeks to a multicultural society.
The history of Seville goes back to about 1000 BC. The Greeks are the first people to settle on the site of the present city. Four centuries later, the Phoenicians and Carthaginians arrived. They made Seville a trading center. Then it was the turn of the Romans and Seville became the capital of the then province of Hispania Baetica. However, the mighty Roman Empire began to crumble and the Romans had to cede the city to the Vandals at the beginning of the 5th century. Circa 520, the Visigoths became the new rulers of Seville. They held sway for nearly two centuries until the Moors took over the city in 712 and left their mark on it. They gave it the name Shbiya, from which later the name Sevilla originated. But they also made it an important cultural and economic city. It was not until 1248 that Seville came back into the hands of the then Catholic kingdom of Castile. This was followed by several interesting periods for Sevilla. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city experienced its heyday with the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. Seville, among other things, became the trade center for all products from the ‘New World’. This made the city very attractive for people from all over the world and a rich multicultural society was created.
Encounter history in present-day Seville
The fascinating history of Seville makes this city a must to visit during a holiday in Andalusia. Many influences of the different cultures have been well preserved. To admire the traces of the past, all you have to do is walk through the center. The city center of Seville is one of the largest historic city centers in Europe. Here you will find famous buildings such as the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, which is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Also special is the almost 100 meters high bell tower, the Giralda. Furthermore, the beautiful Alcázar Palace, which dates from the 14th century, is also located in the center. No wonder that the center of Seville is also known as one large open-air museum.
Enjoy Spanish life in the old quarters
In addition to visiting the imposing historic buildings, you can also experience days gone by in the streets of old Seville neighborhoods. For example, wander through the alleys of Santa Cruz with its colorful houses, squares, shops and many restaurants. Or go to the old Moorish quarter of Triana. This working-class district is the cradle of one of Spain’s greatest traditions: flamenco. So if you want to see a flamenco show. Then you must go to Triana! But you can also find tasty tapas or a nice piece of ceramics in this area.
