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HISTORIC SEVILLE. PAST AND PRESENT

Sevilla is a city with over 2.700 years of history. Tartesos, Turdetanos, Phoenicians, Romans, Carthaginians, Visigoths, Muslims, Jewish, Christians are the most important civilizations that settled down in the city. Thanks to the river and the port of the city  Sevilla has always been considered one of the most important cities in Spain and also in Europe. As it happens in other old cities, the city was built in different layers and thanks to excavations it is possible to see remains from the different periods of history, it is also possible to see parts of old buildings perfectly integrated nowadays in buildings that are still in use.

In this tour, we will walk along streets and squares located on top of the original settlement of the city. We will travel back and forward all the time to understand how the city has changed over the centuries. I find it amazing that the past and present of Sevilla meet in the oldest part of the city which is still full of life and activity. And in the same location, we can find the most modern architecture in town.

The walk will start at Plaza Nueva by the Statue of San Fernando. We will see the front of the City hall XIX Neoclassic, Statue of San Fernando ( Patron saint of Sevilla). We will talk about the history of the square from the Roman period until today.

Plaza San Francisco we will see the back of the city hall that goes back to the XVI century. Built in  Plateresque. The square was used in the past for executions, tournaments, bullfights… Nowadays it is a crucial spot during Holly week. We can also admire the outstanding architecture of the former Royal Court of Justice.

Sierpes street is one of the most famous streets in Sevilla. We will see beautiful historic buildings built in different styles. We will see the former prison where Cervantes was kept and where he might have started writing Don Quijote. We will talk about Semana Santa and  about the floats that are carried along this street. We will see the shop windows where beautiful handicraft is displayed  (lace, hand painted fans, embroidered shawls, ceramic… ) we can talk about the use that we still give nowadays to all those things.

Plaza del Salvador. It is a very famous street in the city for many reasons. One of the favorite places for the sevillanos to have a drink, enjoying the sun and a very special atmosphere. We will admire The Church of El Salvador which is an outstanding Baroque church which was built on top of one of the former mosque in the city. We will explain about Hollyweek and the processions that are celebrated in the city that are famous worldwide. If it is open we will walk inside the former abluption courtyard still remaining from the mosque. We will walk along Cordoba street where we can see the former minaret of the mosque. Cordoba street is a very famous street where most the shops are shoeshops.

Plaza del Pan .It is located at the back of The Church of El Salvador. We can see the remains of a former porticated square from the XVI. Nowadays they have been turned into tiny shops that sell mainly handicraft.

Puente y Pellon Street. We will continue walking along Puente y Pellon street which is full of life and shops. At the end of this street, we will come out to Plaza de la Encarnacion where we will be for sure impressed by the incredible architecture of Metropol Parasol known as ¨Las Setas¨( The Mushrooms)because of the shape of huge Mushrooms. It is considered the largest wooden structure in the World. The best example in the city of modern architecture. Las Setas was built where the Roman city was located and in the basement, there are still ruins that can be seen. (Antiquarium).

Our walk will finish by the Antiquarium where we can see the past and present of Sevilla in a perfect combination.