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According
to legend, Sevilla was founded by Hercules
and its origins are linked with the Tartessian
civilisation. It was called Hispalis under
the Romans and Isbiliya under the Moors.
Its high point in its history was following
the discovery of America.
Sevilla
lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and
is one of the largest historical centres
in Europe, it has the Mohammedan minaret
of La Giralda, the cathedral, and the Alcázar
Palace. Part of its treasure includes Casa
de Pilatos, the Town Hall, Archive of the
Indies (where the historical records of
the American continent are kept), the Fine
Arts Museum, and a number of convents, parish
churches and palaces.
For all
its important monuments and fascinating
history, Seville is universally famous for
being a joyous town. While the Sevillians
are known for their wit and sparkle, the
city itself is striking for its vitality.
It is the largest town in Southern Spain,
the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro.
Marbella
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Banus | Estapona
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The Sevillians
are great actors and put on an extraordinary
performance at their annual Fería
de Abril, a week-long party of drink, food
and dance which takes place day and night
in more than a thousand especially mounted
tents. But above all, it allows the men
to parade on their fine horses and the women
to dance in brilliantly coloured gypsy dresses.
Immediately before that is Holy Week, Semana
Santa, a religious festival where hooded
penitents march In long processions followed
by huge baroque floats on which sit Images
of the Virgin or Christ, surrounded by cheerful
crowds. Both spring events are well worth
experiencing.
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In Seville,
you will want to visit the old city, with the
Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart.
Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace
known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and
the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets,
flowered balconies, richly decorated facades,
hidden patios.
Other sights
not to be missed are, In the old city, the Casa
de Pilatos, a large sixteenth-century mansion
where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend
harmoniously amidst exuberant patios and gardens
and, crossing the Triana bridge over the large
Guadalquívir river, the lively popular
quarter of Triana with charming narrow streets
around the church of Santa Ana and traditional.
ceramic factories.
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Recommended
tapas bars. Don's miss out on the tapas. The
city is credited with their invention and
has more than a thousand bars where the choice
of food, is virtually unlimited, from seafood
to ham and sausage, from vegetable to cheese.
The Sevillians actually make a meal of. them,
moving from bar to bar and trying one dish
at a time.
In the Santa Cruz quarter,
try Bar Giralda, Modesto, Las Teresas and
Casa Robles.
In
Triana, visit El Kiosco de las Flores, Casa
Cuesta and Bodeguita Sanlúcar. In
Santa Catalina, try El Rinconcillo, El Bacalao
and Quitapesares (Bar Peregill).
Marbella
|Pauto
Banus | Estapona
| Ronda
| Selwo
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