Seville is among the most famous and magnificent gems in Spain. The city boasts beautiful architecture, great historical and cultural values and entertainment. With so much to discover and celebrate, this article highlights some interesting facts about Seville to offer visitors ideas for what to see and do before, during and after your trip to the city.
Seville Is the Capital of Andalusia
The city has a perfect balance between festivities and relaxation, earning its title as the capital of Andalusia. Bordering the southern coast, Andalusia is one of the most popular regions with plenty of activities and sights for locals and visitors. Seville is the epitome of happiness in the region considering it is the fourth largest city in the country.
It Has Three World Heritage Sites
UNESCO has recognised Seville as one of the most historic cities in the world. This fact is supported by three world heritage sites in the city.
These are Archivo de Indias (an old and serene architectural structure), Seville Cathedral (a 15th-century Gothic structure) and Alcázar Palace (A royal palace built in the 14th century).
It Has Served as a Filming Location
Yes, numerous famous scenes have been filmed in Seville, since it has amazing structures that make it an ideal location for filming. The city holds praise for being a perfect backdrop for several blockbuster films like Game of Thrones (in the Italica Amphitheatre as Khaleesi’s dragons pit and the Real Alcazar as The Kingdom of Dorne), Cameron Diaz and Tom Cruise’s Knight and Day (in the Alcazar, La Plaza Nueva and La Maestranza bullring), Lawrence of Arabia (in the Hotel Alfonso) and Star Wars: Episode II (in Plaza de España).
It Is Home to the World’s Biggest Gothic Cathedral
Seville houses one of the largest Gothic cathedrals worldwide, Santa Maria de la Sede. It is a UNESCO World Heritage with an approximate area of 11,500 meters square.
It is even larger than the Cathedral of Brasília in Brazil and Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica. The construction work started in the 14th century and ended in the late 15th century.
It Is Home to Two of the Biggest Festivals in Andalusia: Holy Week and Seville Fair
Seville is not only a beautiful city, it is renowned for its vibrant celebration of local culture. Two of the main festivals include the Semana Santa (Holy Week celebration) and Feria de Abril (Seville fair to end all fair). Holy Week starts on Palm Sunday and ends on Easter. The Seville Fair starts two weeks after Holy Week.
Seville fair lasts for a whole week once a year. It is characterized by flamenco music, drinking cañas and people dancing in the streets wearing traditional flamenco attire. Holy Week celebration is a holy festival to commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ, with a reflective and mournful atmosphere. Revered images like the Macarena, Jesus of the Great Power and the Christ of the Gypsies are featured during processions of the city.
Seville Has Its Own Secret Motto
NO8DO is the secret motto of this amazing city. It is scribbled and etched everywhere in the city, from the furniture and urban buildings to flags and road signs. It is alleged that the motto came as a gift from King Alfonso X to thank the locals for the support. NO8DO translates to “has not abandoned me”.
It Is the City Which Holds the Largest Number of Orange Trees
Seville has more than 25000 orange trees in the city’s plazas, streets, squares and patios. While it is bitter to eat, the locals are using the flowers and the oranges to make perfumes, essential oils, cakes, liquors and chocolates. These oranges are the main ingredient in the bitter orange marmalade.
A good Seville souvenir is a delicious orange wine, which mixes sweet wine and orange peels.
The Oldest Royal Palace in Europe Is Located in Seville
The oldest royal palace in Europe is found in Seville, Alcázar Palace. It was initially a Moorish fortress before the construction of the palace. Castilian Christians started the construction of the royal palace in the 14th century. It is still used by the royal family up to date.
Where to Stay in Seville
To get the most out of the city, it’s vital to spend a significant amount of time exploring. This requires finding suitable accommodation to rest after a day of sightseeing. Among the best hotels in Seville, hotel Hispalis is at the top of the list.
The Catalonia Hispalis Hotel is located just a few minutes from Seville Fibes and the conference and exhibition center and the airport (10 minutes). Its strategic location allows you to visit major sights in the region like the Plaza de España, La Giralda and the Torre del Oro.
The bus stop is located just outside of the hotel offering easy transportation to all points of interest in the city. This 3-star hotel is near El Corte Inglés shopping center where you can go shopping if you have a tight work schedule. Also, you can take a stroll on more than 30 hectares of land in Amate Park, 5 minutes walk from the hotel.
Armed with the above interesting facts about Seville, you can now visit the city with exact ideas of where to stay, see and do. If your main goal is to interact and immerse yourself in the beautiful Spanish city and culture, this Andalusia city should be on your places-to-visit list. Plan for a trip and see what Seville is all about.
