"Keeweechic's Seville" a Sevilla Travel Page by keeweechic

Charming Seville lies in Andalusia, one of the largest regions of Spain which was occupied for around 800 years by the Moors. The city is divided by the Guadalquivir River and has enjoyed a rich history as a trading port. Seville is the only Spanish city which has an interior port (some 80kms from the Atlantic Ocean) big enough to handle ocean liners and large cargo ships.

Over the city’s lifespan, there have been many who have laid their claim. The earliest reportedly being during the 9th century BC. Then came the Carthaginians then the Romans who’s influence can still be seen about 10kms outside of Seville. They named the area Hispalis. The city was forever being invaded by various tribes until the Visigoths arrived. The Moors then arrived in 712 and renamed the area Isbilya from which Seville’s name derives. It wasn’t until 1248 that Seville was conquered by Ferdinand III of Castilla.

In 1649 a dreadful plague hit the city and around 150,000 Seville’s population died. Many famous artists also perished during this time.

Two major international exhibitions have been held in Seville – The 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition and the 1992 International Exposition. The latter commemorating the 500th anniversary of the first voice to the America’s by Christopher Columbus.