This is the capital of
Andalucia and Spain's 4th largest city, with a population of over
700,000, and once the 4th largest in the world! It is situated 214km
(133 miles) from Malaga. If anywhere typifies Spain this is it.
Bullfighting and flamenco are passions and tapas bars abound.
Surprisingly this is also a busy port, being on the Guadalquivir river
115 km (71 miles) from the sea. The Seville port once had the monopoly
of trade with the New World and in 1992 when Expo 92 was held here
Seville once again received world-wide attention. Seville cathedral is
the 3rd largest in the world and contains much gold and fine art. It was
built on the site of a former mosque. La Giralda, built in the 12th
century remains, and was the most remarkable minaret in the Muslin
world. Christians added the belltower. You can walk up a ramp inside the
tower for a panoramic view across the city. Similar to Granada's
Alhambra is the Reales Alcazares, a moorish palace with gardens and
fountains, ponds and orange groves. Adjacent is the Barrio de Santa
Cruz, the old jewish quarter which is very popular with tourists -
narrow streets, flowers and orange trees plus bars, restaurants, art
galleries and craft shops and at night students in traditional dress
serenade the strollers and diners. Probably the most famous son of
Seville was Don Juan who started from here to conquer the hearts of
women all over Europe! Columbus started from a port close to Seville to
discover the new world. "Carmen", of the famous opera was a worker in a
Seville tobacco factory, a building which now houses the university!
