Seville is the capital of Andalusia and has a chequered history having been ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths and the Moors before it was finally reclaimed by the Christians in the 13th century.
The city’s character reflects this particularly in the architecture of Moorish, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque style which can be seen. It´s a compact maze of narrow streets with a fascinating choice of places to visit. The medieval Jewish quarter and the Barrio Santa Cruz are fascinating by day or night with flower-lined streets, houses adorned with exquisite wrought iron and seemingly endless restaurants and taverns.
the Barrio Santa Cruz
The Puente del Alamillo in Seville at night. The bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava in 1992. —- Photograph © Andrew Dunn, 07 May 2006.
“Seville,” wrote the poet Lord Byron of Spain’s fourth largest metropolis “is a pleasant city, famous for oranges and women.” Visiting Seville Spain, it becomes apparent that not only are the men and women uncommonly beautiful, but the city itself more than lives up to the romantic images it conjures for world travelers. With flamenco dancing, quaint tapas bars, wondering guitarists strumming melodies in cobbled streets hung with geraniums, Seville Spain is one of the finest Spanish cities.
Seville tourism reaches its peak during Semana Santa (Holy Week), when self flagellating Christs and weeping Virgins wearing the finest jewels, parade through the streets on floats borne by barefoot penitents. A week later, this time wearing the brightest flamenco costumes,Sevillanos cut loose for the annual Feria de Abril (April Fair). Some of the best Seville sightseeing occurs during these weeks. But if you can’t make it to Seville in April, Seville tourist options abound all year round, due in no small part to the mild weather Seville Spain is blessed with.
A longtime Seville tourist attraction is the colorful flamenco dance, and the accompanying flamenco music. Seville tourism affords many opportunities to experience flamenco. From professional clubs to grassroots amateurs, and the flamenco penas (societies) that offer travelers a chance to learn the dance. But for those searching out a truly authentic flamenco experience, head to the tascas (bars) of Triana, La Maccarena, or Las Tres Mil Vivendas, the outlying and largely gypsy community.
In addition to festivals and flamenco, Seville is home to Spain’s most storied bullring, the Maestranza. Touted by the Seville tourism board as the cathedral of bullfighting, few toreros (bullfighters) gain nationwide recognition until they have offered themselves upon the altar of Maestranza.
Nightime is a magical time in La Isla Magica as it comes to life then with fountains, light shows and fireworks.
Altogether it is a marvelous day out with much to offer for every age group and quite educational to boot.
The Isla Magica is open March to October from 11am to midnight.
