Seville, the city that the world is paying attention to

The diverse history of Andalusia in a beautiful city

Located in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusia is blessed with a warm climate. People have lived in the region since prehistoric times, and it has been through the ancient Roman and Islamic eras, as well as the Reconquista, to become one of the autonomous regions of Spain. The region is home to a colorful culture that has developed over its long history.

One of the attractions of Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is that you can experience its diverse history and culture. For example, the Seville Cathedral, which is a component part of the World Heritage Site "Cathedral, Alcázar and Archive of the Indies of Seville," is the largest cathedral in Spain.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1402 and was completed in the 16th century. Many highlights of the cathedral include the Giralda Tower, which was originally built as a minaret for a mosque.
The Alcázar, also designated as a component part of the World Heritage Site, is a Mudejar-style palace built on the ruins of a castle built by Muslims. In this way, Seville, which was conquered by Muslims in the 8th century and recaptured by Christians during the Reconquista, is home to beautiful architecture born from the fusion of different cultures.

In addition, the city has many attractions where you can feel the history of Andalusia, such as the Maestranza Bullring, said to be one of the oldest bullrings in the world, and Plaza de España.
If you visit Seville, take your time to stroll around the city, soaking up the rich layers of tradition and culture.

A food mecca with 3,000 bars

Anyone who travels to Seville will be amazed by the rich food culture that exists in this city. The food culture that symbolizes Spain is "tapas," a small dish of various appetizers, and it is said that there are 3,000 bars in Seville where you can enjoy tapas.

As you walk through the city, you will find a wide variety of bars, from long-established restaurants famous for Iberian ham, to bars popular for their anchovy frites, to restaurants known for their Spanish omelets. There are countless Seville specialties to try, including the potato dish "papas arriñas," the cold tomato-based soup "gazpacho," and "pintxos molunos," skewers of seasoned meat.

The Seville way is to enjoy tapas with a cold beer and go bar-hopping. If you want to enjoy tapas in Seville, we recommend visiting the old town that spreads around the Seville Cathedral. There are many bars lined up, so you're sure to find one you like.

Enjoy old and new art related to Seville

Seville is also known as one of the leading art cities in Spain.
When talking about artists representing Seville, the first name that comes to mind is Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Born in Seville in 1617, Murillo is one of the masters representing the "Spanish Golden Age Art" that flourished from the end of the 15th century when the Reconquista was completed to the 17th century. Murillo's works, known for their romantic colors and fantastic light, are also housed in the "Seville Museum of Fine Arts." Currently, there are several special exhibitions in Seville celebrating the 400th anniversary of Murillo's birth, so be sure to visit them. Of course, in addition to Murillo, there are many other artists who were active in Seville during this period, such as painter Valdés Leal and sculptor Martís Montañez. Why not visit the art museums scattered around the city and feel the breath of the "Spanish Golden Age Art"?

Of course, there is more to Seville than just 17th century art. For example, movie buffs should visit Plaza de España, located in the center of the city. Originally built as the venue for the 1929 Universal Exposition, this beautiful square is also known as the location for filming Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Architecture lovers should also check out the Metropol Parasol, completed in 2011. Designed by German architect Jurgen Mayer, this building is impressive for its curved beauty created by its latticed wooden construction. Its scale, also known as the "world's largest wooden building," is truly impressive. From works of Spanish Golden Age art to contemporary art, Seville is a place where you can enjoy old and new art to your heart's content.