According to Aparentingblog.com, Seville is a charming city in southern Spain, much loved by tourists. It is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, 87 km from the Atlantic coast. According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules. In ancient times, it was the center of the Iberian tribe Turdetans. Conquered in the 3rd century AD by the Romans, became a significant commercial and cultural center. The next lords of the cities were the Arabs. During their reign, which lasted from 712-1248, handicrafts (the production of silk, jewelry, and ceramics) achieved great development here. After Seville was recaptured from the Arabs, it became part of the Kingdom of Castile and León. In the XV century. Seville became a major center of shipbuilding, trade, navigation, from its harbor – Paloe – set off the first expedition of Columbus. After the discovery of America, the Castilian kings granted the city a monopoly of colonial trade. XV-XVII centuries were the period of the highest prosperity of Seville: in terms of trade turnover, it surpassed all major European shopping centers. However, from the beginning of the XVIII century. the trade monopoly was abolished, which greatly slowed down the pace of development of the city.
A tourist who finds himself in Seville is transported several centuries ago. Each of the peoples who have been here has left its mark.
The most famous landmark of the city is the Gothic Cathedral, the largest in Spain. and the third largest in Europe. Its main altar is considered the largest in the Christian world. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1402 and continued until the 16th century. During the construction, several columns and elements of the mosque, which used to be on this site, were used. The most famous Muslim element is the Giralda minaret, turned into a bell tower. The 250-meter Giralda is visible from almost anywhere in the city, and from its observation deck, located at an altitude of 93 meters, tourists can admire a wonderful panorama with the villages adjacent to the city. The interior of the Cathedral with five naves is decorated with a large number of gold ornaments. Here is the sarcophagus of Christopher Columbus. In 1987, the Cathedral of Seville was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Opposite the Cathedral are the Royal Square and the Archbishop’s Palace. The palace-fortress Alcazar rises on the Royal Square. Here, much was built by Moorish craftsmen commissioned by King Pedro the Cruel in 1364. A variety of Christian and Muslim motifs are presented in the architectural labyrinths of gardens, halls and courtyards, the most famous of which is the Court of the Girls. Nearby, on Triunfo Square, is the building of the Seville Stock Exchange – Lonja. Currently, archives, documents, maps and letters related to the discovery of America are stored here, and the building is called the Archive of the Indies.
Don’t miss the Golden Tower (Tore del Oro). The tower was built in the 12th century. and was used as an observation deck. It was connected by an iron chain to exactly the same tower on the opposite bank of the Guadalquivir – in this way it was possible to control the movement along the river. Torre del Oro owes its name to white clay bricks that shone so brightly in the sun that they looked golden from afar. It now houses the Navigation Museum.
The Provincial Museum of Fine Arts of Seville is considered one of the most important in Spanish art. The museum exhibits religious paintings by Esteban Murillo, who was born in Seville, as well as paintings by other artists of the Seville School, such as Juan de Vales Leal and Francisco de Zurbaran. It also houses works by El Greco, Pacheco, Velázquez and Alonso Cano.
The island of La Cartuja, which has preserved the architecture of the 1992 World Exhibition, will show tourists the face of a modern city. The main attraction of La Cartuja is the “Magic Island” – a theme park with attractions that reveal the history of pre-Columbian civilizations. Seville is
especially famous for its popular quarters. Walking along such streets will become an unforgettable journey through time and will make your vacation even more enjoyable. The most famous is the Santa Cruz quarter with flowery balconies, quiet courtyards, narrow streets and richly decorated facades.
Sierra Nevada, Andalusia (Spain)
Sierra Nevada is the southernmost ski resort in Europe. It became known after 1996, when the World Winter Sports Championship was held in its vicinity.
The Sierra Nevada is located 32 km from Granada. The station itself is located at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level. In clear weather, you can see the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and even the coast of Africa from here.
This resort is suitable for skiers of all skill levels. The total length of the tracks is 61 km, the height difference is about 1000 m, there are 23 lifts, including 2 cable cars, 2 tracks are equipped with artificial lighting, 278 snow cannons provide good snow cover throughout the season, there is also a snowboard park, half -pipe and track for parallel slalom. Tourists vacationing at the resort are accommodated in hotels in the nearby village of Pradogliano.
