Sevilla Things to Do Tips by LoriPori

THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE Cathedral Review

One of the biggest Cathedrals in the world is THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE. Actually it's the third largest Christian Cathedral after St. Peter's in the Vatican and St. Paul's in London. It was HUGE. I was just blown away at how enormous it was. Its total building surface is 23,500 square metres.
Its construction, in the Gothic style, was begun in 1402 and took more than a hundred years to build.

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In the Cathedral are many great paintings, beautiful chapels, the stunning Treasure Room and a monument to Christopher Columbus.

Address: Avenida de la Constitución

Phone: 95 421 49 71

SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT Santa Cruz District Review

A very lovely area of Sevilla is the SANTA CRUZ DISTRICT. It is a very old part of the city and is the location of the ancient Jewish Quarter. It is also very picturesque as you can see some beautiful patios. Most of the doors are open so you can see through the decorative iron gates, the nice views inside. The patio pictured ( in the more photos) was taken during our walk along the walls of the Alcazar.

Directions: From the Alcazar main entrance make a right turn. Right at Plaza de la Alianza, start exploring

VDT BUS TOUR TO SEVILLA PART II

Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Back on the bus at 4:00 for the trip back. The bus driver took a different route back this time ( A 384) through the beautiful green rolling hills of the Andalucian countryside -- farms, sheep and goats grazing, with the mountains in the distance. Came across a huge mountain reservoir " El Gastor" . We continued on the A 384 along the Rte de Carreterras until we came to Ronda, where we took a short rest stop. The road kept getting narrower and we were WAAAAY UP ( Reales 1450 metres ). Finally we saw the lights of the city as we came down from the mountains. The road came out at Marbella and then we were driven along the coastal road, dropping people off at their hotel as we went. Arrived at the Sol Principe at 8:30 P.m.
All in all it was a wonderful tour and is highly recommended.

VDT BUS TOUR TO SEVILLA PART I

As Hans and I wanted to take a tour to Sevilla, I checked out my favourite neighbourhood travel agency, Viajes Vivamar. Their Sevilla Tour was 32,00 Euros and with lunch it was 40,75 Euros.
We decided on Wednesday, January 25, 2006.
The bus picked us up at 7:00 a.m. right in front of our hotel. Our route was Malaga to Antequera on Road 331, then Antequera to Sevilla on the A-92. We passed acres and acres of olive trees. Did you know that 5 kg of olives equals one bottle of olive oil? No wonder olive oil is so expensive. We also saw the beautiful Andalucia countryside with mountains in the distance. I sat next to a fellow Canadian. Her name was Goldie. We hit it off almost immediately. She said " You know you're stuck with me now". I laughed and said Hansi usually goes off filming anyway, so we would be good company for each other.
When we arrived in Sevilla, we had a "City Tour". We passed by the Hotel Alfonso XIII, a five-star hotel where movie stars and torreros stay. We also saw all the different embassies of many countries, all along an orange-tree lined avenue. Did you know that there are 40,000 orange trees in Sevilla, from which they make "Sevilla Marmalade"??
Our first stop was Plaza de Espana.
Our walking tour began at the Monument to Christopher Columbus. On the way to the Alcazar we marvelled at the majestic ficus trees, some over 500 years old. We passed the Alcazar and went on to the Cathedral where we would have a tour. Highlights of the Cathedral were the Sepulchre of Christopher Columbus, many beautiful chapels and the unbelievable Treasure Room. After our tour, it was time for lunch which we had at San Marco Restaurante. Goldie joined us for lunch.
After lunch was over, we got back on the bus, which dropped us off in front of the Golden Tower. Some went on a Boat Tour (Regular price 15 Euros / Group 12 Euros ). Hans, Goldie & I and some others, opted to do other things. Goldie & I just had to check out the Hotel Alfonso XIII.
Continued Part II

Address: City Tour of Sevilla

ALCAZAR PALACE Alcazar Review

The construction of the ALCAZAR PALACE or Reales Alcazares, was the work of the conquering Almohads in the principally Mudejar style. Building was begun at the end of the XII century and was concluded in the middle of the following century.
King Pedro I of Castile made various reforms during the XIV century, in order to adapt it to Christian customs. Later reforms were made by the King Emperor Carlos V.
At the present time it is kept up by the government, as it is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they are in Seville.
It still maintains its Moorish style gardens, which were irrigated with water brought along an Aquaduct named Canos de Carmona.

Address: Plaza del Triunfo

Phone: 95 450 23 23

PLAZA DE ESPANA Plaza de España Review

Created between 1914 and 1929 for the great Iberoamerican Exposition held in 1929 to commemorate Seville's historic contacts with the Americas. All of the Spanish speaking countries were represented there, as was the U.S.A.
The PLAZA DE ESPANA is a long semi-circular building, flanked on both sides by spectacular towers. In the center of the Plaza is a wonderful fountain.
All along the front of the building were 58 tiled benches representing the different Spanish provinces and location in Spain on a tiled map. The building mainly houses government offices.
What was most striking to me was the blue and white glazed tile balustrade, complimented by the occasional colourful azulejos , found throughout the Plaza.

Address: near the Parque de Maria Luisa

Directions: East bank of the Guadalquivir, south of the Cathedral

THE CATHEDRAL'S TREASURES Cathedral Review

In the museum THE CATHEDRAL'S TREASURES are exhibited, the most interesting of which are a tabernacle by ARFE, a Clemency Christ by MARTINEZ MONTANEZ, the sword of SAN FERNANDO, some ALFONSINA tablets, a reliquary altar, a carved wooden cross and an infinity of other priceless pieces.

Address: Avenida de la Constitución

Phone: 95 421 49 71

LA GIRALDA Giralda Review

The first thing you notice when you see the immense Cathedral, is this tower beside it. My first thoughts were that they looked so out of place together. The Cathedral was Gothic and the Tower was Moorish. What a strange combination.
It seems that when it was decided to tear down the Great Mosque that was on the present site of the Cathedral, they couldn't bring themselves to destroy the beautiful tower known today as LA GIRALDA.
The total height of the Giralda Tower from the sidewalk to the weather vane is 96 metres, making it the undisputed symbol of Seville, from which excellent views of the city can be seen. You can enter the Tower by way of the Cathedral. The name of the Tower comes from the figures on the top. It is a 16th century bronze statue depicting the TRIUMPH OF THE FAITH ( Girarldillo )

Address: Avenida de la Constitución

Phone: 95 421 49 71

INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL Cathedral Review

The most interesting of the Chapels are the GREAT CHAPEL and the ROYAL CHAPEL, where the image of the Virgin of the Monarchs is venerated. There are 25 other Chapels, among which is the CONCEPTION and the SAN HERMENEGILDO where we find the mortal remains of Cardinal Cervantes.
Inside the Cathedral there is also a Sarcophagus-Mausoleum, sculpted by Melida at the end of the XIX century, in which the "Ashes of Christopher Columbus" are conserved.
Among the many paintings we can find works by Murillo, Valdes Leal, Riviera, Herrera "The Elder", Juan B. de Nunez and many others.

Address: Avenida de la Constitucion

Phone: 95 421 49 71

THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE - HISTORICAL INFORMATION Cathedral Review

Built on the site of a former mosque, THE CATHEDRAL OF SEVILLE simply was rebuilt by the people of Seville.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
1184 to 1198 The main mosque was built including the minaret. Still visible today are the Patio de los Naranjos and the lower two-thirds of the minaret known today as the Giralda.
1248 to 1401 The mosque became a Christian Cathedral.
1434 to 1517 Gothic construction was carried out on the west side of the Cathedral, using stone.
1528 to 1601 Renaissance constructions included the Royal Chapel, the main Vestry and the Chapter Hall. Most noteworthy is the upper section of the Giralda Tower.
1618 to 1758 Baroque style construction were added including the Sanctuary Parish and two other chapels.
1825 to 1928 Last significant work on the Cathedral - three main portals and the southwest angle.

Address: Avenida de la Constituci?n

Phone: 95 421 49 71