Sevilla on foot [Free walking tour]

Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla
(Seville Museum of Fine Arts)

Monument Type: Art Gallery
Address: Plaza del Museo, 9
Website: http://www.museodebellasartesdesevilla.es/
Opening Times: 16 Sept – 31 May: Tues – Sat: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon closed 1 Jun – 15 Sept: Tues – Sat: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon closed
Price: General admission: 1.50 €, EU citizens: Free
Information: Housed in an early 17th century convent, Seville’s Museum of Fine Arts contains works dating from the Gothic period to the present day. There are works by classic Spanish artists such as El Greco, Pacheco, Velázquez and Alonso Cano as well as religious painting by renowned master Zurbarán.

Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija
(Palace of the Countess of Lebrija)

Monument Type: Palace
Address: Calle Cuna, 8
Website: http://www.palaciodelebrija.com/
Opening Times: Mon – Fri: 10.30 a.m – 7.30 p.m Sat: 10 a.m – 2 p.m & 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: Ground Floor only 5 € Both Floors 8 €
Information: Constructed in the 15th century around the typical Andalusian courtyard design. The noble palace has undergone many transformations over the years, most notable when the Countess of Lebrija bought the property at the turn of the 20th century. The countess, who was a keen architect enthusiast, had installed over 580 square metres of authentic Roman floor mosaics from the then recently discovered Roman city of Italica. It remains the best collection of Roman floor mosaics in all of Spain.

Metropol Parasol

What is it? Interesting architecture and Mirador (Viewing platform)
Where is it? Plaza de la Encarnación. North of the cathedral in the northern reaches of the Casco Antiguo (old town)
Information: Metropol Parasol claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world and is the work of German designer Jürgen Mayer. Due to its unique design it is sometimes known as Las Setas de la Encarnación (Incarnación’s mushrooms). The mirador is open Sun – Thurs: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Fri & Sat: 10.30 a.m. – 1 a.m. Price: 1.35 €

La Casa de Pilatos
(Pilate’s House)

Monument Type: Palace
Address: Plaza de Pilatos, 1
Website: http://www.fundacionmedinaceli.org/monumentos/pilatos/
Opening Times: Summer: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Winter: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Price: General admission: 8 € EU citizens: Free (Tues 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
Information: Built in the 15th century, this stunning Andalusian nobles’ palace is a mix of Spanish mudejar-Gothic and Italian Renaissance and Romantic styles. Striking features include the central courtyard ringed by the heads of Roman emperors and Spanish kings, and the series of Goya’s on a bullfight.

Museo del Baile Flamenco
(Flamenco Dance Museum)

Monument Type: Museum
Address: Calle de Manuel Rojas Marcos, 3
Website: http://www.flamencomuseum.com/
Opening Times: Nov – Mar: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Apr – Oct: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Price: Adults 10€ – Groups 8€ – Children 6€
Information: Set across four floors the Flamenco Dance Museum is a must for all those who are interested in the art form. There are also regular performances that come highly recommended

Iglesia del Salvador
(Church of the Saviour)

Monument Type: Church
Address: Plaza Salvador
Website: -
Opening Times: Mon – Sat: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sun: 10:30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m.
Price: Free entry
Information: The recently refurbished Iglesia del Salvador was constructed in the 17th century on the site of the former main mosque of Seville. It is the 2nd largest religious structure in the city, after the Cathedral, and was built in the Baroque style. Notable features include the Mannerist façade, the minaret incorporated into the church structure and its cupola dome.

Ayuntamiento de Sevilla
(Seville City Hall)

Monument Type: Historical building
Address: Plaza Nueva, 1
Website: http://www.sevilla.org/
Opening Times: Mon, Wed, Fri: 5.30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Jun 6 p.m. – 6.30 p.m. Jul & Aug closed.
Arranged groups only (max. 25 personas)
Price: Free entry
Information: Built in the 16th century, Seville city hall is a unique building in many ways. Constructed in the Renaissance style, the building boasts both Plasteresque and Neo-classical façades, reflected the restoration work that it has undergone over the years. Today the building holds the city’s historical archives and is adorned with representations of classical figures such as Caesar and Hercules with notable rooms including the Apeadero, Sala de los Fieles Ejecutores, the Salón Colon, and the Sala Capitular,

Barrio de Santa Cruz
(Jewish District) 

What is it? Old Jewish neighbourhood
Where is it? The southern part of the old town, bordered by Calles Mateas Gago, Santa Maria La Blanca / San José, the Jardines de Murillo and the Alcázar
Information: The primary tourist neighbourhood of Seville, Santa Cruz contains many of the city’s oldest buildings and monuments. Originally inhabited by a large Jewish population; when religious persecution culminated in the expelling of the Jews in 1492, the area went into decline that was not arrested until the 18th century. The area is typified by narrow, labyrinth-like streets, hidden courtyards, a vast selection of bars and restaurants and the citric smell of orange tree lined streets.

Palacio Arzobispal
(Archbishop’s Palace)

Monument Type: Palace
Address: Plaza Virgen de los Reyes , s|nº
Website: http://www.archisevilla.org/visitas.php
Opening Times: 24 Nov: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 1 Dec: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 15 Dec 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 12 Jan 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2 Feb: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2 Mar: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 6 Apr: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 4 May: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 26 Apr (Festival San Isidoro): 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. 18 May (Day of the Museums): 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 23 Jun (Festival San Juan): 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Price: Free Entry
Information: Home to the archbishop of Seville, the Archbishop’s Palace has served as a religious residence since the 13th century and sits directly opposite the Giralda tower. The modern palace was built in the Spanish baroque style but is adorned with two 16th century Mannerist design courtyards. Interesting features include the majestic central staircase, imposing main hall and the impressive collection of ‘Sevillian Baroque’, paintings and sculptures, including works from Francisco Pacheco, Zurburán, and Murillo among others. It is also notable for being the starting point of the Easter processions.

Hospital de los Venerables
(Hospital of the Venerable)

Monument Type: Historical building
Address: Plaza de los Venerables, 8
Website: http://focus.abengoa.es/
Opening Times: Everyday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Price: General admission: 5.50 €, Sun 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Free
Information: Built in 1675, in the Baroque style, as a residence for retired priests, the building is divided into two parts. In one area the residents’ quarters are set around a circular courtyard which is beautifully decorated with glazed tiles and topped with an ecliptic vault decorated in Baroque plasterwork. The rest of the building is a simple, single-nave church.

Catedral de Sevilla & La Giralda
(Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower)

Monument Type: Cathedral
Address: Av de la Constitución, s/n
Website: http://www.catedraldesevilla.es/
Opening Times: Mon: 11 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Tues – Sat: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun: 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Summer (July & August): Mon: 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. Tues – Sat: 9.30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun: 2.30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Price: General admission: 8 €, Sundays: Free
Information: The monstrous Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral and third largest church in the world. Construction began in 1401 on the site of a Moorish mosque and was finally finished in 1507 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The cathedral contains the longest nave in Spain which rises to the eye-watering height of 37 metres. Sitting inside the cathedral is also the tomb of Christopher Columbus, whose coffin is held aloft by four figures representing the four kingdoms of Spain during Columbus’ epoch, Castille, Aragon, Navara and Leon.

The Giralda bell tower is one the iconic images of Seville and offers some of the best view across the city. Built in 1184 as part of the Great Mosque it was incorporated into the Cathedral design and was topped with a five storey bell tower in 1568. Today it stands at 93 m and is reached by ramp that was designed to allow to horseman abreast to climb.

El Real Alcázar de Sevilla
(The Alcázar of Seville)

Monument Type: Royal Palace Complex
Address: Patio de Banderas, s/n
Website: http://www.alcazarsevilla.org/
Opening Times: Oct – Mar: Mon – Sun: 9.30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Apr – Sept: Mon – Sun: 9.30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Price: General admission: 8,75 € Pensioners & Students: 2 €, Apr – Sept: Mon: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Oct – Mar: Mon: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Free
Information: The Alcázar of Seville is the oldest royal palace in Europe, still in use, and is a riot of competing architectural styles. Built in the Mudéjar style in the 11th century the original palace was largely converted by the Christian King Alfonso XI into a Gothic one. Between 1364 and 1366 King Pedro oversaw the construction of a new Mudéjar palace, the Palacio de Don Pedro which is one the most stunning buildings in all of Spain. Highlights include the Ambassadors’ Hall which is beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles, the 16th-century coffered staircase adorned with paintings by Roelas and Madrazo and the many stunning patios and gardens.

Archivo General de Indias
(General Archive of the Indies)

Monument Type: Historical archives
Address: Av de la Constitución, s/n
Website: http://www.mcu.es/archivos/MC/AGI/index.html
Opening Times: 16 Sept – 15 Jun: Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., 15 Jun – 16 Sept: Mon – Fri: 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Price: Free entry
Information: Located in the antique merchants’ exchange, the General Archive of the Indies contains extremely important historical documents pertaining to the Spanish empire in the Americas and the Philippines, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It total the archive contains over 80 million pages including priceless records such as Christopher Columbus’ diaries, the Bull of Demarcation Inter caetera marking the division of then new world between Portugal and Spain and official correspondence from the early conquistadors.

Plaza del Cabildo
(Cabildo square)

What is it? Town square
Where is it? In Arenal neighbourhood in the Old Town
Information: Designed by Joaquín Barquín y Barón this elegant semi-circular square is an oasis of calm in a hectic city. Attractive features include the arcade decorated with frescos and the refined marble columns. Every Sunday the square hosts a collectables market.

Torre del Oro
(Gold Tower)

Monument Type: Almohad military watchtower
Address: Paseo Cristóbal Colón, s/n.
Website: -
Opening Times: Mon – Fri: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat & Sun: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Price: General admission: 3 €, Tuesday Free
Information: Constructed during the Almohad dynasty of the 13th century as a means of controlling access to the city from the Guadalquivir river, the watchtower has also been used as a prison and today is home to the Naval Museum.

Plaza de España
(Spain square)

What is it? Town Square
Where is it? Maria Luisa Park
Information: Built in 1928 in a semi-circular design, to host the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, the square is one of the best examples of the Renaissance Revival style in Spanish architecture. The main features are the centrally located fountain, the large palace and tiled alcoves representing each province of Spain. Today, the palace houses many administrative buildings and the square has been used as a film set, most notables for Star Wars and Lawrence of Arabia.

Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla
(Archaeological Museum of Seville)

Monument Type: Museum
Address: Plaza de América, s/n
Website: http://www.museosdeandalucia.es/culturaydeporte/museos/MASE/?lng=en
Opening Times: 16 Sept – 31 May: Tues – Sat: 10 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon: Closed, 1 Jun – 15 Sept: Tues – Sat: 9 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon: Closed
Price: General admission: 1.50 €, EU citizens: Free
Information:  Housing a collection that spans from the pre-historic to the 15th century, the museums greatest treasures lie in the vast collection of Roman era artefacts including a vast collection of marble statues and a number of beautiful floor mosaics. The museum is located in another building built for the 1929 exposition with the façade a mixture of Baroque and Neoclassical styles.

Parque de María Luisa
(Maria Luisa Park)

What is it? City Park
Where is it?  Just south of the historic centre.
Information: Maria Lusia Park constitutes the principle green space in Seville and was gifted to the city by Infanta Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier in 1893, the grounds having previously been the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo. The park’s current design was implemented by Aníbal Gonzalez for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 in the ‘Moorish paradisical style’ with a plethora of tiled fountains, pavilions, walls and ponds.

Triana

What is it? Neighbourhood and administrative district on the west bank of the Guadalquivir River
Where is it? Located on an almost-island between two branches of the Guadalquivir, to the west of the old town
Information: Triana neighbourhood has a long and proud history and the local trianeros consider it to be different in character to the rest of the city. Formerly the old gitano (gypsy) quarter, it is the spiritual home of Flamenco in Seville and is also typified by narrow winding alleys, although it is not as pretty as Santa Cruz its cousin across the river

written by: Jon

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