Old proverb say – those who haven’t seen Seville, haven’t seen miracles. It true to some extent – hardly you can imagine what a city like Seville exists, when you get there, it’s like a fairy-tale, a fantasy, and when you leave it (if you can find forces for it) you feel some sort of awaken from the most beautiful dream of your life.

Seville is the capital of the Spanish province Andalusia and the forth largest city in the whole Spain.

The city was founded in VIII century on the banks of Guadalquivir. Later it was conquered by different tribes. Under the rule of Arabs, it became a flourishing, prosperous city competing with Cordova. The rise of Seville began in the epoch of the Great Geographical discoveries. One of the important trading routes came through Seville port. During these times the local aristocracy appeared and it captured the biggest part of the Andalusia land. In XVIII century Cadiz became the main city in trading with America and bad times fell down on Seville. In 1929 after the International Fair Seville began to develop once again.

In the center of the old city rises Santa Maria Cathedral, the biggest one in Spain and the third biggest in Europe (after cathedrals in Rome in London). The construction of the cathedral was started in 1402 on the place of the former mosque. This cathedral is an example of the fusion of the gothic and renaissance styles. Royal chapel keeps the mortal remains of Ferdinand III and according to some opinions, the tomb of Columbus, however, no one can say for sure.

There also some parts of the old mosque remained – Orange courtyard and Giralda tower – the symbol of Seville. This minaret was built in 1184. The tower received its present name in XVI century, when the rotated figure of an angel was established on its top. Rotate in Spanish is "Girar" and thus the tower became Giralda.

One more symbol of Seville is Torre-de-Oro – Golden Tower. It was built in 1120 by the Arabs and got its name due to its white bricks shining like the golden. Now it houses Maritime Museum.

Another must-see in Seville is palace complex Alcazar founded in XII century by the Arabs and finished in XVI century by the Christians. The complex is considered one of the best examples of mudejar style. To the south of the palace the gardens with a lot of exotic plants are located. The district where you can feel the local color of Seville is called Santa Cruz – narrow lanes, white houses with balconies seem to have come down from a picture. This place is extremely popular among tourists and locals– there are a lot of restaurants bars and souvenir shops.

Written by: Constance Blair
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