Seville & Travel

The Seville Cathedral is the third largest in the world, after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London, and the largest Gothic building. It is also the most visited site in Seville.

Construction began in the early 15th century on the site of the former mosque built during the Arab rule. After the Reconquest, Catholics wanted to showcase Seville’s power and wealth. According to local legend, the cathedral builders said, “Let’s build a church so beautiful and grand that those who see it finished will think we are mad.”

The cathedral houses many artistic treasures, including works by Pedro de Campaña, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Christopher Columbus' tomb is located in the transept of the church.

The Patio de los Naranjos and most of the Giralda tower are the only parts of the original mosque still standing.

The tower was originally built by the Moors as a minaret, with ramps inside so that guards could ride to the top on horseback. The bell tower is topped with a bronze weathervane called El Giraldillo, which symbolizes the triumph of faith.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

The Alcazar is a royal palace complex with beautiful gardens and courtyards that has changed many times over its more than 1,000 years of history. It is known as the oldest royal palace in the world and is still used by the Spanish royal family on certain occasions.

In the 11th century, the Muslim Moors built a palace on the site of a 10th-century fort. In the 13th century, it was transformed into a Gothic-style building.

A century later, King Pedro hired Moorish craftsmen to rebuild and expand the palace in the Mudéjar style. The Palacio de Don Pedro, with its stunning domed ceiling in the Salón de Embajadores (Ambassadors' Hall) and the beautiful arches and plasterwork in the Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of Maidens), is one of Seville’s top attractions.

Along with the Cathedral and Giralda, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

In 1914, Sevillian architect Aníbal González started planning a series of buildings for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. Located close to Barrio de Santa Cruz in the Parque de María Luisa, the structures were built to represent Spain’s historical, industrial, and technological contributions at the world’s fair.

Among the exhibits displayed in the main building were manuscripts by Spanish explorers Columbus and Cortés. The buildings are a unique example of the Regionalist Revival style, known for its use of local materials. Today, the structures are used as government offices.

The Santa Cruz neighborhood is one of the most charming and historic areas of Seville. Once the old Jewish quarter, it is known for its narrow winding streets, white houses, and beautiful flower-filled patios. Walking through Santa Cruz feels like stepping back in time, with hidden squares, traditional tapas bars, and landmarks such as the Seville Cathedral and the Real Alcázar of Seville nearby. Its lively yet intimate atmosphere makes it one of the most iconic districts of the city.

Las Setas de Sevilla is the world’s largest wooden structure, located in Plaza de la Encarnación in central Seville. The design features six large mushroom-shaped parasols inspired by the Cathedral's vaults and nearby Ficus trees.

The structure has five levels, including a Plaza Mirador with a panoramic walkway at the top, a tapas restaurant and event space inside the central parasols, and an open Plaza Mayor underneath for various events. On the ground level, there’s the Mercado de la Encarnación with shops and restaurants. The basement houses the Antiquarium museum, showcasing archaeological finds from the site.