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Seville, just 6 meters above sea level on
the banks of the Guadalquivir river, is located in the southwest
of the Iberian Peninsula, in the heart of the Autonomous Region
of Andalusia.
As capital of Andalusia, it is the fourth largest city in Spain
with a population of 704.114 inhabitants within the metropolitan
area. Seville is considered without doubt, the artistic, cultural,
financial, economic and social center of southern Spain.
CLIMATE. |
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Seville has a Mediterranean climate, with
average temperatures of 26º C in the summer and 12 º
C in the winter, experiencing mild winds during spring and summer.
Winters are also mild. It rains only slightly during the autumn
(average annual rainfall: 534 mm). Highest temperatures are
experienced during the summer. With close to 3000 hours of sunlight
annually, Seville’s climate can be considered almost as
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Numerous and varied cultures have been present
in Seville’s history. The city’s cultural, monumental
and artistic legacy gained over the centuries can be admired
in it’s streets and museums. Seville’s dark origins
have provided legends such as the one that attributes Hercules
as it’s founder. In order to appreciate the ancient history
of Seville, one must visit the Museo Arqueológico (Archaeological
Museum), a spectacular site in itself; once a Pavilion of the
1929 Exhibition. Here one can observe the remains of cultures
that traveled from across the Mediterranean, bringing with them
their distant gods. The Tesoro del Carambolo is a clear example
of oriental influences assimilated by the ancient peoples of
Seville. |
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Neighboring Seville (Alcalá del Río)
was the scene of the final battle between Romans and Carthinigans
(206 A.C.. It was also the location of the first Roman colony
in the region, Itálica. Known as the city of Julia Romula
Hispalis, it was named after its founder, Julius Caeser (45
A.C.). He converted Sevillians into Roman citizens with full
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The figures depicted on the city’s shield
of San Leandro and San Isidro (Saints), are accompanied on both
sides by the conquering king from the Visigoth period, an era
shadowed by the splendor of Islamic Seville, a period which
followed immediately afterwards (712).
It was during the Almohade stage era (mid 12th C) when Isbiliya
reached its greatest SPLENDOR. The Mesquita Mayor (mosque) was
constructed. Its minaret became the symbol of the city. Renaissance
touches crowned the building’s tower and soon would become
known as the Giralda.
The city was occupied by the Crown of Castile, conquered by
King Santo Fernando III in 1248. Mosques were converted into
Christian worship places. Even the Great Mosque (Gran Mesquita)
fell under the same luck. A century and a half later considering
the site’s ruinous state, the ecclesiastic council decided
to tear it down and in its place erect the Catedral (Cathedral),
the indisputable symbol of Christian Seville. During the medieval
period King Don Pedro built the Palacio Mudéjar (14th
C) on the grounds of the ancient walled Islamic Alcázar.
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After the discovery of America, 16th C Seville
became the Puerto de las Indias, monopolizing trade with the
New Continent. The Casade la Contratación was set up
in the Alcázar and local merchants built the Casa Lonja
which centuries later was converted into the Archivo de Indias.
Many palace-homes were constructed during this period, such
as the emblematic Hospital de las Cinco Llagas, today the seat
of the Andalusian Parliament.
The 17th C brought in illustrious and universal artists, though
a significantly progressive transfer of economic activity from
the Americas to the city of Cádiz soon began to occur.
The Hermandades de Pasión (Holy Week Brotherhoods) which
has traditionally paraded without any order were soon organized
under the Carrera Oficial (Official Route) body. The float’s
itinerary was coordinated according to seniority; Semana Santa
(Holy Week) was becoming formalized and its profound religiousness
was represented in works of artists such as, Montañés,
Murillo, Zurbarán and Valdés Leal.. Important
religious structures are built during this period
The 18th C brought the construction of the world famous Fabrica
de Tabacos (Tobacco Factory), an industrial building and scene
of Carmen la Cigarrera. Another setting from this same opera,
the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza (Bullring) was also
started, yet was not completed until the end of the following
century.
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Seville became known as an exotic destination
for pioneers of the 19th C Romanticism movement. Some of these
artists were excellent designers whose influence on the city
remained intact up until contemporary renovations and the opening
up of roads in and around Seville took place. This was a response
to outward growth which brought down their walls. Two of Seville’s
finest examples of Arquitectura del Hierro (Ironwork Architecture)
can be found in the Puente de Triana (bridge), inspired by the
Carrousel of Paris, the other being the Naves del Barranco.
The 20th C started off with the preparations and promises of
a World’s Fair – Exhibition. This event was postponed
for various reasons until it finally opened in 1929. This Latin
American Expo left us the Plaza de España, the Plaza
de América, and various country Pavilions representing
different architectural styles and native pre-Colombian cultures.
The century closed with yet another Exhibition, the ’92
Expo, which commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Discovery
of America. From an urban point of view this event marked not
only the incorporation of the Isla de la Cartuja (Island), but
also the elimination of two old railroad stations which had
become traffic obstacles within the city. The new station of
Santa Justa, home of the High Speed Train (AVE) as well as major
beltways were constructed for the opening of this fair.
The headquarters of the “Expo” has been converted
into a techo-park (Parque Tecnológico). Many important
companies also have their main offices on this site.A few years
have passed since that magnificent event and the history of
Seville continues; the city is still growing.
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Seville, considered one of the great European
cities with regards to an urban setting that blends with surrounding
rural communities, is today one of the best communicated cities
in Spain. Endowed and strategically situated, Seville is the
last great metropolis of Southern Europe.
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• Airpotr (San Pablo Airport) |
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Located: at 12 km from Seville
Telephone: 954.449.000
Fax: 954.449.025
The new San Pablo International Airport, built by internationally
acclaimed architect, Rafael Moneo, is located just 10 km from
the city center. It was designed to receive some 8 millions
travelers per year and offers regular flights to all major European
and Spanish capital cities.
Flight destinations
Direct foreign destinations from Seville: London, Paris, Amsterdam,
Dusseldorf, Brussels, Cologne.
Direct national destinations from Seville: Madrid, Barcelona,
Bilbao, Las Palmas, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife Norte, Valencia,
Santiago de Compostela, Alicante.
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The Santa Justa Train Station, built by Seville
architects, Cruz & Ortiz, have received various European
awards. This station serves as an important hub for connections
between the Andalusian capital and all of the Autonomous Regions
of Spain and Europe. Major train lines from Madrid, Malaga and
Granada converge here. The AVE, (high speed train) provides
service to Madrid in just two and a half hours. A trip to Cordoba
takes only 40 minutes.
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• Plaza de Armas station. |
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There are two bus stations in Seville.
Plaza de Armas station.
Avda. Cristo de la Expiración s/n. 41001.
Tel: 954.908.040 / 954.907.737
Plaza de Armas station connects with Rest of Spain and the Province
of Huelva.
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Main destinations: Madrid, Southern Portugal,
Lisboa, Huelva, Huelva coast, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante,
Mérida, towns within the province of Seville, Asturias,
Galicia, northern Spain, foreign countries.
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• Prado de San Sebastián
Station |
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Prado de San Sebastián s/n. 41005.
Tel: 954.417.111. Fax: 954.417.118
Provides bus services to Andalusia.
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Main destinations: towns within the province
of Seville: (Utrera, Morón, Estepa, Carmona, Alcalá
de Guadaira, Écija), Córdoba, Granada, Cádiz,
Jaén, Málaga, Almería, Jerez de la Frontera,
Algeciras, Ronda, Marbella, etc.
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Renovated highway and access roads and rapid
beltways provide precise connections to all neuralgic points
of the city and its surroundings. Seville has now become one
of Spain’s best connected cities by road, with highways
connecting all Andalusian capitals as well as Madrid and Portugal.
A-4 to the Airport, Córdoba (138 km.), Madrid (538 km.)
A-66 to Mérida, Badajoz (217 km.), Cáceres (264
km.)
A-92 / N-334 to Málaga (219 km.)
A-4 / AP-4 to Cádiz (125 km.)
A-49 to Huelva (94 km.)
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PORT
Address: avda. de Moliní nº6
Telephone: 954.247.300
Website:
www.apsevilla.com
Characterized by varied and efficient accessibility, Seville
has not only become a tourist destination, but also the best
equipped port in all of Andalusia. The Guadalquivir River hosts
a first class port, the only interior port in Spain. It supports
intense traffic from tourist cruises as well as regular commercial
shipping lines.
As in the case of many other large cities, Seville’s origins
surge from its magnificent location along a great river, the
Guadalquivir. This location is the crossing of natural communication
routes which connect the interior of Andalusia with the coastal
plains and outlets to the ocean. From the left bank water is
received from the Genil, Gorbones and Guadiana Rivers, while
the Hueznar, Viar, Cala and Guadiamar Rivers from the province
of Huelva flow into the banks on the right side.
The Guadalquivir River has always been the true motor of Seville.
The primitive Tartessos River, which the Romans called Betis
and the Arabs, Wadi al-Kabir (“big river”; original
name of the Guadalquivir) begins to flow in the Sierra de Cazorla
at 1600 meters and stretches over 590 km through Andalusia to
the Atlantic coast. The Guadalquivir has the only river port
in all of Spain, located some 80 km from the Atlantic coast
and is very close to the Mediterranean Sea. The surface area
of the river is three million square meters.
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PORT
Address: avda. de Moliní nº6
Telephone: 954.247.300
Website:
www.apsevilla.com
Characterized by varied and efficient accessibility, Seville
has not only become a tourist destination, but also the best
equipped port in all of Andalusia. The Guadalquivir River hosts
a first class port, the only interior port in Spain. It supports
intense traffic from tourist cruises as well as regular commercial
shipping lines.
As in the case of many other large cities, Seville’s origins
surge from its magnificent location along a great river, the
Guadalquivir. This location is the crossing of natural communication
routes which connect the interior of Andalusia with the coastal
plains and outlets to the ocean. From the left bank water is
received from the Genil, Gorbones and Guadiana Rivers, while
the Hueznar, Viar, Cala and Guadiamar Rivers from the province
of Huelva flow into the banks on the right side.
The Guadalquivir River has always been the true motor of Seville.
The primitive Tartessos River, which the Romans called Betis
and the Arabs, Wadi al-Kabir (“big river”; original
name of the Guadalquivir) begins to flow in the Sierra de Cazorla
at 1600 meters and stretches over 590 km through Andalusia to
the Atlantic coast. The Guadalquivir has the only river port
in all of Spain, located some 80 km from the Atlantic coast
and is very close to the Mediterranean Sea. The surface area
of the river is three million square meters.
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Telecommunication infrastructures within the
metropolitan area of Seville have witnessed spectacular advances,
as shown by certain installations within the city: the Satelite
Communication Center in Carmona, the Digital Network of Integrated
Systems of Spain (Cartuja), the Cellular Phone Base Station,
the Videoconference Control Center and the Center of International
Communications of Pineda, which features four operating units.
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BUS.
Seville offers a wide network of city buses, property of the
municipal company, TUSSAM. Search their website for complete
information, fares, tickets, etc.
One or three day tourist cards can be purchased which permit
as many trips as desired during the determined validity of the
pass.
General informationl: 900.710.171
Web site: www.tussam.es
TAXI.
The city’s taxi service is plentiful Tele-taxi. Tel: 954.622.222
Radio-taxi. Tel: 954.480.000
METRO
Website: www.metrodesevilla.net
The Seville Metro system (Line 1) shall be a reality as of 2006.
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Business hours
Meal schedules tend to be a bit later than the rest of Europe:
breakfast is taken between 7.30 to 10am. Lunch at restaurants
is served from 2 to 3.30pm and dinner starts around 9pm until
11pm.
Business hours in the morning are from 10am until 1.30pm
and in the afternoon from 4.30pm – 8pm. During the summer
months, shops and businesses open a bit later in the afternoon,
at around 5.30 or 6pm until 9pm. Department stores operate
from 10am until 9pm.without a break.
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Postal service
Central Office
Avda. de la Constitución, 2
Tel: 954224760
The Central Post Office schedule is from 8.30am until 8.30pm,
Monday thru Friday. Stamps can be purchased in any estanco (government
licensed tobacconist kiosk
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Electrical adaptors
The current in Spain is 220 – 240 V AC. U.S. electrical
appliances require a transformer and adapter, which can be purchased
at any electrical or hardware store (ferreterías).
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San Pablo Airport: Tel.954449000
City may: Tel:954590101
Banks and money exchange:Change Express (Western Union) Tel:
900633633
Post Office (& Telegraphs): Tel: 902197197
Bank of Spain: Tel: 954227846
Regional Government of Seville: Tel: 954550000
Bus station: Plaza de Armas: Tel: 954908040
Bus station: Prado de San Sebastián: Tel: 954417111
Train station: Santa Justa: Tel: 902240202 (Information and
reservations)
Public Hospitals: Hospital
Universitario Virgen Macarena. Tel: 955008000
Hospital Virgen del Rocío. Tel: 955012000
Hospital Virgen de Valme. Tel: 955015000
Iberia Airlines: Tel: 954988208.
Information: 902400500
Consumer information : Tel: 954530625
Association of Consumers and Users of Seville. C/ Resolana,
8. Tel: 954376112
Municipal Office of Consumer Information: Tel: 954231822
National Police: Tel: 954289300
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Tourism offices in Seville offer free city-maps
and a lot of brochures about monuments, museums, sightseeing
tours, cultural activities and places to stay.
Tourim Offices run by the City Administration of Seville:
? Naves del Barranco.
c/ Arjona, 28
41001 Sevilla
Tel: + 34 954 22 17 14 / 902 194 897. Fax: +34 954 22 95 66
Sitio web:
www.turismo.sevilla.org
Correo electrónico: barranco.turismo@sevilla.org
? Costurero de la Reina
Paseo de las Delicias, 9
41013 Sevilla
Tel: +34 954 23 44 65. Fax: +34 954 22 95 66
Sitio web: www.turismo.sevilla.org
Correo electrónico: barranco.turismo@sevilla.org
Tourism Offices run by the Government of Andalusia:
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Avda. de la Constitución, 21 B
41001 Sevilla
Tel: +34 954 221 404 / 954 21 81 57. Fax: +34 954 22 97 53
Sitio web: www.andalucia.org
Correo electrónico: otsevilla@andalucia.org
? Aeropuerto de San Pablo
Autopista San Pablo s/n
41007 Sevilla
Tel: +34 954 44 91 28. Fax: +34 954 44 9129
Sitio web: www.andalucia.org
Correo electrónico: otaesevilla@andalucia.org
? Estación de Santa Justa
Avda. Kansas City s/n
Tel: +34 954 53 76 26. Fax: +34 954 53 76 26
Sitio web: www.andalucia.org
Correo electrónico: otjusta@andalucia.org
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Money exchange: you can exchange cash at a
bank. Remember to take into consideration exchange rate and
commission.
Credit Cards: Major credit cards are widely accepted . Commissions
range between 2-4%.
Banking hours: most banks are open Monday thru Friday from 8.30am
til 2 or 2.30pm. Only a few branches are open Saturday mornings.
ATM machines are located throughout the city offering 24 hour
service, most of which provide international service (Servired,
4B, etc.).
COMMUNICATIONS.TELEPHONE
Telephone Country Code of Spain: 0034
Mobile telephone numbers: begin by 6.
Public Telephones: you’ll find easily a lot of street
pay phones and that you can use for international and domestic
calls. The phones accept coins and/or telephone cards.
Mobile Phones: GSM 900/1800 is used in Spain, by the which mobile
phones are compatible with the rest of Europe, but not with
North America and Japan. You can buy a mobile phone with debit
card from aproximtely . Also you can bring your own mobile phone
with you and just buy a Spanish SIM card (remember that the
mobile must be unlocked) for about 35 € with 25 €
included in calls.
Mobile phone companies in Spain:
Movistar http://www.movistar.es
Vodafone http://www.vodafone.es
Amena http://www.amena.com
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Website: www.sevillacard.es
When you visit Seville, do not forget to buy the Sevilla Card
for tourist. It will help you to discover the city and enjoy
your stay saving money as well. You will be able to benefit
from:
? Free adimission to most museums and monuments in the city.
? Unlimited use of public transportation.
? Unlimited use of sightseeing buses.
? Boat rides on the Guadalquivir river.
? Isla Mágica them park.
Besides you will be able to enjoy considerable discounts in
shops, restaurants, shows and leisure centres.
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