Top Things To Do in Seville For Lovers of History, Culture and Fun
5 Top things to do on your Travels to Sevilla, Spain
Seville, or Sevilla as the locals know it, is the fourth largest city in Spain, located in Andalusia, the southernmost tip of Spain. Founded as the Roman city of Hispalis before being renamed to Ishbiliya during the Muslim conquest of the early 700’s, it’s safe to say that Seville is steeped in history. The Old Town is the third largest in Europe, containing no less than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its harbour is the only river port still in existence in Spain. If you’re a lover of history and culture, Seville has an enormous wealth of attractions it can offer you.
1. Cool off in Seville Cathedral
The first thing you will notice about Seville is that it’s very hot. In fact, Seville is the hottest major metropolitan area in all of Europe, with an average summer high of more than 35 °C (95 °F). If you’re struggling with the heat during your travels, be sure to duck inside one of Seville’s massive Gothic cathedrals.
The largest of these, the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede (or Seville Cathedral for short) is Christopher Columbus’ final resting place, one of the city’s three World Heritage Sites, and is well worth seeing. Built as a symbol of Seville’s wealth, the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede took the title of largest cathedral in the world from the world-famous Hagia Sophia upon its completion in 1507.
2. See the city from La Giralda
At the top of the Seville Cathedral lies La Giralda, a belltower which was originally built as a Muslim minaret during the Moorish period but has since been updated with a distinct Renaissance flair. Despite being a part of the cathedral, the Giralda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, and offers the best possible view of the city – just as it has done for hundreds of years.
3. Experience Seville’s gambling history for yourself
The Seville Cathedral is not the only symbol of wealth in the city. Seville is actually the first recorded setting for the world famous game of Blackjack. Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, wrote the short story Rinconete y Cortadillo in the early 1600’s detailing the adventures of two cheaters in the city of Sevilla, if you wanted to find out more about the history of blackjack this guide explains everything you need to know.
Scholars and historians have hotly debated whether or not Veintiuna (as the game was known then) came from Seville. But if nothing else, this is just a fantastic opportunity to try your hand at the world’s most famous casino game at a truly important place in the history of the game. If you’re looking to try your hand at a game of cards, head on over to the casino at the Hotel Alfonso XIII.
4. Be amazed at the Alcázar
Make sure you make time to head over to the Alcázar before you head home. The Alcázar of Seville is the last of Seville’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a truly gorgeous royal palace which was originally developed by the Moorish Muslim kings. Its unique fusion of Spanish Christian and Moorish architecture and its incredibly intricate designs, both indoors and in the immaculate gardens, has earned it the title of the most beautiful palace in all of Spain. You can easily spend two to three hours just strolling around the palace, taking it all in.
5. Experience the best of Spanish football
Seville isn’t just home to ancient history – it’s also home to Sevilla Fútbol Club, a top 10 team in the top Spanish football league, La Liga. Sevilla finished in 5th place last season, and are doing fairly well again this season. It’s fair to say at this point that they will probably do well again next year, too. If you’re after seeing the very best football that Andalusia has to offer, playing against another of the top teams in Spain, make sure you head down to Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium and watch Sevilla FC play. They’re an incredible team, and if you’re a football fan you won’t be disappointed.
*******************************************
About The Author: This article was shared by Poppy Gallagher. I am a keen traveller and love to experience different cultures and have a keen interest in adventure. When I am not skydiving or paragliding I am at my laptop typing away writing about my travels.
*******************************************
Photo Source: Google Commons
