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Alcazar and La Giralda – Started 1,000
years ago by the Moors, and taken by the Spanish in 1248, this building
is still used by Spanish royalty. Think of it as the gateway to the past,
for Barrio de Santa Cruz just to the east is the oldest neighborhood
in the city. The twisty-turny narrow cobbled streets are the epitome of
medieval Europe. |
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 The
Alcazar – A fortress palace built by the Moors, walk the patios,
it has been a royal residence for 750 years. Especially pretty is the Patio
of the Maidens, with coffered ceilings and ceramic tiles surrounding a lovely
fountain. |
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La
Giralda – A minaret built in the 12th century, it is comparable
only to the Hassan Tower of Rabat or the Kutubiyya Mosque of Marrakesh.
At the top is El Giraldillo, the bronze statue erected by the Spanish to
reclaim this land as Christian. |
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The
Cathedral – The largest Gothic building in Europe. An earlier
cathedral was destroyed by the Moors in their conquest of Spain in the early
700s. |
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Maria Luisa Park – Once the site of a world exposition
in 1929, this is now a pretty place to spend an afternoon. Rent a rowboat and oar your way around the moat of the Plaza de Espana (about 300 meters),
you'll see each of Spain's provinces illustrated in those famous Sevillan
tiles. Feed the snow white doves that flock to the tourists here. Two
museums to visit: Archeological Museum and Museum of Folk Art
and Costumes. |
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Torre de Oro – Built in the 13th century, the
Torre de Oro guarded the Guadalquivir River (and big chain was dragged across
the river). Today, climb up the tower for a view of the river, bridges,
and you have to just imagine the river full of sailing ships, in times past. |
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Isla Magica – Isla Magica is
a cultural amusement park that re-creates the glory days of 16th century
Spain. Explore a treasure galleon, learn to be an adventurer in the explorers
school, ride the train to Potsi. Little kids will enjoy the two-story carousel
and Fountain of Youth play area, older kids will get a gasp out of the roller
coaster and water rides. Plus multimedia and comedy shows for everyone in
the family. |
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Azulejos in San Jacinto – Take your
kids to watch azulejos (painted tiles) being made as they have done here
for 1,000 years in abstract patterns and brilliant colors that echo the
Moorish occupation. If you have any thoughts of redoing tile work at home
(kitchen? baths? patio?) a great reminder of your trip to Spain would be
to let each person in the family pick out one or more of these distinctive
tiles as accent pieces. Look closely at the plaques on walls in this neighborhood
– birthplace of many famous matadors. |
