Catedral de Sevilla

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in Christendom, unmatched in its impressive scale and abundance of art treasures. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incomparable monument was constructed between 1402 and 1506 on the site of the town’s principal mosque. The Giralda Tower was originally the minaret of the mosque built in the 12th century by Almohad Moorish rulers. This 93-meter-high tower of the cathedral is still the emblem of Seville. To arrive at the cathedral, visitors walk through the Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of Orange Trees), which was the forecourt of the mosque. The octagonal fountain in the center is a remnant of the Islamic midha, the fountain for religious ablutions.

Barrio Santa Cruz: Seville’s Most Charming Neighborhood

Brimming with old-fashioned Sevillian charm, the Barrio de Santa Cruz was the Judería (Jewish quarter) during the medieval era under Moorish rule. Many of the quarter’s churches were originally synagogues. The Barrio Santa Cruz is found in between the cathedral and the Alcazar. This medieval neighborhood is characterized by its labyrinth of cobblestone pedestrian lanes (too narrow for cars), whitewashed houses with attractive patios, and picturesque shaded plazas with outdoor cafés. Many of the quiet courtyards, such as the Plaza Doña Elvira, are planted with fragrant orange trees. The Plaza Santa Cruz features rose beds and a 17th-century wrought-iron cross in the center. At the Plaza Refinadores, visitors will find a statue of Don Juan Tenorio, a famous local literary character.

Real Alcázar

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Real Alcázar was originally the medieval fortress of Moorish rulers and later of the Christian kings. The palace was built in the 10th century for Moorish rulers. In the 11th century, it was governed by the legendary Moorish ruler and poet al-Mutamid. After the Christian Reconquest in the 1360s, Moorish architects created the Mudéjar-style buildings for King Pedro the Cruel. Visitors enter the palace through the Puerta Principal that leads to the Patio de las Doncellas. This elegant courtyard was built between 1369 and 1379 and exemplifies Islamic architecture with magnificent arches featuring open arabesque work above 52 marble columns. The oldest of the rooms, the Sala de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors) has a splendid stalactitic dome ceiling with decorative friezes and inscriptions in Arabic script.

Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España

Inside the Parque de María Luisa, the Plaza de España is one of Seville’s most impressive landmarks because of its scale and grandeur. The enormous 50,000-square-meter plaza is surrounded by the balustraded balconies of a Renaissance Neo-Moorish style building. This semicircular building curves around, following the shape of the canal running through the square. A monumental fountain is a graceful centerpiece of the square, while the peaceful canal is crossed by four footbridges. Tourists can rent a rowboat for the afternoon to experience the “Venice of Seville” or opt for an equally romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the park.

Santa Semana (Holy Week Festival)

The Semana Santa celebration in Seville is one of the most exciting festivals in Spain. Following centuries-old traditions, the Catholic brotherhoods (cofradías and hermandades) from the different quarters of the town participate in elaborate processions. Clad in penitents’ garb, they carry impressive floats that display ornately decorated figures of saints. The main procession is the eve of Good Friday and on Good Friday morning. The ceremonies held in the cathedral during Holy Week are particularly splendid.

Casa de Pilatos

The 16th-century Casa de Pilatos is believed to be a replica of Pilate’s house in Jerusalem. Built by Moorish and Christian architects, the house features a variation of Mudéjar style, with Gothic and Renaissance details. Typical of Andalusian architecture, the building has a central patio adorned with azulejos (colorful ceramic tiles) and antique sculptures. The Salón Dorado (Golden Room) is a beautiful room with faience decorations and an artesonado (coffered wood) ceiling. The main staircase and the private chapel are also noteworthy. A collection of ancient Roman sculptures is displayed throughout the house.

Barrio de Triana

This historic quarter of Seville has its own distinct character and identity. Across the river from the main tourist attractions of Seville, the quarter has the ambience of being a world apart. Similar to the Barrio Santa Cruz, the Barrio de Triana is a maze of narrow cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways leading to atmospheric squares. What distinguishes the Barrio de Triana is its heritage as a traditional potters’ quarter as well as its Gypsy community. For centuries, the people of this neighborhood have used the clay from the banks of the Guadalquivir River to create authentic Andalusian ceramics.

Monasterio de Santa Paula

This Monasterio de Santa Paula was founded by Doña Ana de Santillan in 1473 for the Jerónimas nuns. For five centuries, this monastery has been devoted to divine worship and study of Scripture. Within the cloisters of the building, the monastery possesses an important art collection. Tourists can visit the monastery to discover its artistic heritage. Sometimes the nuns can also be found selling their handmade cakes and confections here.

Ayuntamiento (Town Hall)

This impressive 15th-century town hall was designed in the Plateresque style by Diego de Riaño. The intricately carved reliefs on the southern facade depict figures from historical stories and mythology as well as emblems of the storied founders of the city, Hercules and Caesar. The building was renovated in the 19th century with a Neoclassical main facade that looks out onto the Plaza Nueva. A small archway connects the town hall building to the adjacent Franciscan monastery. Tourists may make an appointment to visit the interior, which contains several important artistic works including a painting of the town’s patron saints, Justa and Rufina.

Biblioteca Colombina

The son of Christopher Columbus, Hernando Colón, put together the collection for this library between 1496 and 1539. The Biblioteca Colombina is one of the most important collections of Renaissance-era volumes in Spain, with a special focus on the humanist writings of the Golden Age. Originally Colón amassed a collection of 15,000 volumes by buying books on his travels through Europe. Unfortunately, many of the original volumes were lost. Today, the library contains 3,200 volumes, including 1,250 incunabula and 587 manuscripts. One of the most noteworthy items in the collection is the Libro de las Profecías, a biography of Christopher Columbus.

Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija

The Palacio Lebrija is a lovely aristocratic Sevillian mansion. The palace was designed to impress with its grand staircase leading up to the entrance and gorgeous artesonado ceilings. The walls are decorated with Arabic-style plateresque ornamentation, and the courtyard is filled with Andalusian plants. This palace also displays archaeological treasures including ancient mosaics, glasses, vases, and sculptures.