Guide to Seville

Welcome to Seville

A 'SCHOOL-MADE' CITY GUIDE FOR THE COMENIUS PROJECT

'STUDENTS AND PARENTS IN PARTNERSHIP' 2010-12

IES 'LOS MORISCOS'

History, schedule, students quiz.

Introduction: Seville, Spanish: Sevilla ; is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of 7 metres (23 ft) above sea level. The inhabitants of the city are known as sevillanos or hispalenses, following the Roman name of the city, Hispalis. The population of the city of Seville was 704,198 as of 2010 (INE), ranking as the fourth largest city of Spain.

A bit of history: Seville is more than 2,000 years old. The passage of the various civilizations has left the city a distinct personality, and a large and well-preserved historical center.

Although it has a strong medieval, renaissance and baroque heritage, the city received heavy influences from Arabic culture.

The city was known from Roman times as Hispalis. Following were successive conquests of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica by the Vandals and the Visigoths during the 5th and 6th centuries. After the conquest of Seville by the Moors, Seville was taken by the Muslims in 712 and renamed Seville (‫)ةيليبشإ‬, derived from Hispalis, from which the present name "Sevilla" is derived. It was capitol for the Kings of the Umayyad Caliphate, the Almoravid dynasty, and the Almohad dynasty (from Arabic ‫ نودحوملا‬al-Muwahhidun, i.e., "the monotheists" or "the Unitarians"), from the 8th to 13th centuries. In 1248 forces of King Fernando III of Castile won victory in Seville's chapter of the peninsula's Catholic Reconquista.

Following the 1492 Christopher Columbus expedition to the New World, the results from his claiming territory and trade for the Crown of Castile (Spain) in the West Indies began to profit the city, as all goods imported from the New World had to pass through the Casa de Contratacion before being distributed throughout the rest of Spain.

A 'golden age of development' commenced, due to being the only port awarded the royal monopoly for trade with and riches from the growing Spanish colonies in the Americas. Since only sailing ships leaving from and returning to Seville could engage in trade with the Spanish Americas, merchants from Europe and other trade centers needed to go to Seville to acquire New World trade goods. The city's population grew to nearly a million people in the first hundred years after Columbus. In the late 16th century the monopoly was broken, with the port of Cádiz also authorized as a port of trade. The Great Plague of Seville in 1649 reduced the population by almost half, and it would not recover until the early 19th century. Seville's development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was characterized by population growth and increasing industrialization.

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City Map

Sierpes Street Town Hall

Triana’s Bridge Cathedral Santa Cruz Royal Palace

University

Plaza de EspaĂąa

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Places to visit (Our schedule) 11:00.- Plaza de España- Plaza of Spain Located on the edge of Parque Maria Luisa, the Plaza de España was designed and constructed under the direction of Anibal Gonzalez, perhaps Seville's best known architect, for the 1929 Ibero-American Expo, now used as government offices. Wandering around the semi-circular grounds it is interesting to take in the paintings over ceramic tiles, representing an historical event in each province of Spain. And children will of course recognize the backdrop as being featured in one of the latest Star Wars movies.

12:00 Real Fábrica de Tabacos- Universidad de Sevilla/ Royal Tobacco FactoryUniversity of Seville.

Located next door to Hotel Alfonso XIII and the Puerta Jerez, the Real Fabrica de Tabacos is now the main building for the University of Seville. Built over 50 years in the 18th century, the original purpose was the production of tobacco products from the New World, and was made famous by the Bizet's opera Carmen. At one time this was the largest industrial building in all of Europe, complete with moats, a chapel, jailhouse and several courtyards and fountains. It is very accessible, and anyone can walk through the building and around the grounds, with no appointment or entrance fee. When open the small University Chapel is also a nice visit, featuring the image of Cristo de la Buena Muerte, a work by the famous Sevillian sculptor Juan de Mesa.

12:15 (group 1) or 15:00 (group 2) Reales Alcáceres- Royal Palace Located between the Jardines de Murillo and the Cathedral, the Alcazar or Royal Palace in Seville is still a vacation spot for the King and Queen. Construction first began under Abd Al Ramán III in the early 10th century it is one of the best examples of mudéjar architecture in all of Spain. Later additions included those by Pedro the Cruel with the aid of Moorish craftsmen. The grounds and gardens around the building are an important part of the visit.

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13:30 Barrio Santa Cruz- Santa Cruz Quarter This is the first barrio (area or neighborhood) tourists head for, and with good reason. It is the most picturesque and delightful part of the city, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, where you can sit outside a bar, enjoy some tapas and watch the world go by, or wander through centuries-old gardens and relax on beautiful tiled benches. It was formerly the Jewish quarter; some of the churches were originally synagogues. The covered passageway heading off the Patio de Banderas (part of the Alcázar) called the Judería is worth visiting; enter the Patio from here and you'll get an unforgettable view of the cathedral.

Wandering round the small squares lined with orange trees (especially Plazas Doña Elvira and Santa Cruz), getting lost in the maze of improbably narrow alleys, where the ancient houses lean so far towards each other that they almost seem to touch, and admiring the leafy patios of private mansions through their iron gates, will be one of the best experiences of your visit to Seville.

12:30 or 15:00 Catedral y Giralda- Cathedral and Giralda tower The third largest cathedral in the world, behind only St. Peters in Rome and St. Paul's in England. The Cathedral does hold the record as the largest gothic building in the world, which you're sure to see when visiting. This is the most visited site in Seville.

Construction began in 1401 on the grounds of the center mosque constructed during Arab occupation.

The Patio de Naranjos and the main section of the Giralda are the only structures remaining from the mosque. The climb up the Giralda, approximately 70 meters, is made easier with the absence of stairs.

Instead a series of ramps leads you to the top for a perfect view of the city. Inside are works of painting by Murillo, Goya, Pedro de Campaña and Luis de Vargas. Sculpture includes works by Martinez Montañés. The tomb of Columbus is said to be located here as well.

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16:30-18:00 Ayuntamiento y Calle Sierpes Town Hall, Sierpes Street.

Located in the very center of Seville between Plaza Nueva and Plaza San Francisco, the Ayuntamiento, or Town Hall, separates the historic and shopping districts in Seville. The later renovation can be seen from the side of Plaza Nueva and is an excellent example of neo-classical design. The side often featured in guide books and photos is facing Plaza San Francisco and is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. This side of the building was the work of Diego de RiaĂąo in the 16th century, who used an ornate style to depict the two mythic characters Hercules and Caesar, who as legend has it founded the city of Seville.

18:00-19:00 Puente de Triana y Torre del Oro/ Triana’s Bridge and Golden Tower The official name is Isabel II's Bridge. It's the oldest bridge among the ones that cross the Guadalquivir River as it flows through Seville. It took its name from the Triana area, one of the neighborhoods with more character in Seville. Previous to the construction of this bridge (between 1847 and 1852) and at its exact location, Triana neighbors used to cross the river through a line of boats tied to each other on the water.

Torre del Oro - Golden Tower Located on the Guadalquivir River and dating back to the 13th century (Almohade period), the top of the Torre del Oro was once covered in gold tiles which reflected in the sunlight, making the tower a visible fixture in Seville. During the Arab occupation it served as main point of defense and control of the river. The tower was connected to the city walls, and a large linked chain ran from the building to the other side of the river to control maritime traffic into the city.

The Torre del Oro now houses the local maritime museum.

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Students Quiz 1.- The Plaza de España (Plaza of Spain) was built in 1929. Name the event that was taking place in Seville that year.

2.- Can you remember the name of the park inside of which the Plaza de España was built?

3.- Name two main studies the University of Seville holds.

4. A famous Opera takes place in Seville University building. Can you name it?

5.- Which famous discoverer is supposed to be buried in Seville Cathedral?

6.- Which is the cathedral main architectonic style?

7.- Where does the word “Giralda” come from?

8.- The royal palace (Reales Alcáceres) was the muslins king´s residence. Is it still used in that way?

9.- Where does the word “Triana” come from?

10.- There’s a famous symbol in the flag of Seville. Can you explain where does the expression NO8DO come from?. Remember there were two explanations.

11.- Which was the religion of the first inhabitants in Barrio de Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Neighborhood)?

12.- A Sevillian painter gives the name to the gardens in which we’ve been having lunch, Do you remember his name?

13.- You have probably been shopping in a narrow and crowded street, do you remember its name?

14.- The river in Seville gives the name to one of the main football clubs in the city, Which is it?

Remember the Roman name for the river.

Note: if you are in trouble with any of the questions, please do not hesitate to ask the Spanish teachers.

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