At the beginning of the 16th century, Seville became an epicenter of the Spanish Empire due to its connecting link between the peninsula and the discovered territories of America. Seville became the most important city of the Golden Age. The city has continued to thrive because of its enormous artistic, historical and cultural legacy.
Seville is known for its three treasures, The Cathedral, the Royal Alcazars, and the Archive of the Indies. All of these places are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. They can be found only minutes from the luxury hotel.
The Giralda is one of the best-known sites in the city. The bell tower of the third largest cathedral in the world, is without a doubt one that especially stands out. From the highest point, you will be able to soak in one of the greatest views of Seville.
Another one of the three constructions that form the Cathedral is the Royal Chapel. This is where the remains of King San Fernando, Alfonso X the Wise, and Christopher Columbus rest, as well as a magnificent collection of paintings by Murillo.
Within the Cathedral, one can find themselves in the Patio de los Naranjos, a place where one can become surrounded by the aroma of orange blossom and see the city’s history on its walls.
The famous Tower of Gold is erected just a few metres from the Maestranza. It receives its name from the reflective quality that its golden tiles project over the Guadalquivir River.
Constructed in three phases that spanned from the 17th to the 18th century, its goal was to close passage through the river. It is currently housed in the Naval Museum of Seville.
With the purpose of consolidating the documentation of the Spanish colonies, the General Archive of the Indies was created in 1785, having its head office in the building that was constructed as a market two centuries prior.
Archives of immeasurable value are housed in its interior, drafted by figures such as Christopher Columbus, Fernando de Magallanes, Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarrom or Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
This neighbourhood, the former Jewish area of Seville, conceals within its walls the allure of an enclave of narrow streets and secluded alleyways that let the wayfarer wander back centuries in time while cooling off.
Along with the Barrio de Santa Cruz, Triana is one of the most traditional neighbourhoods in Seville. Situated on the eastern shore of the Guadalquivir River, Triana relies on its own identity and spirit. Aside from emblematic buildings and monuments, we can find insights into the artesian culture that has always characterised the neighbourhood streets.
When Alfonso XII considered the Plaza de España of Seville finished, he could do nothing more but to state, “Gentlemen, I knew that this was beautiful… But not this much.”
This immense neo-Mudejar architectural complex was constructed between 1914 and 1926 with the aim of housing the Ibero-american Exhibition of 1929.
The square is flanked by 48 benches that represent the Spanish provinces through rich illustrations in tiles.
Commonly known as the Mushrooms of Incarnation, this avant-garde monument, situated in the Plaza de la Encarnación and designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer, takes its inspirations from the vaults of the Cathedral of Seville.
It houses a restaurant, an antiquarium containing the archeological remains found there, as well as numerous events in the areas covered by the sun shades.
Pure exhilaration of feeling, passion, and folklore; this is what Holy Week is like in Seville. For many Sevillians, it is the event they wait all year for, the event where they find their identity and release the devotion they harbour.
Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest, it is impossible to get too excited upon hearing the drums, upon contemplating the expression of exquisite statures, upon witnessing the passage of the Nazarenes and of the faith of the people who flood the streets, upon hearing a saeta…
For an entire week, the parades come to pass around the clock, spruced up in majestic jewelry and garments, and flood the streets of Seville with colour and art in a dignified environment.
Among the processions, we would like to point out that corresponding to the brotherhood of the Redemption, the passing of the Mystery of the Kiss of Judas, one of the parades that most faithfully gathers and grows more and more important each year. We can see it from the Palacio Villapanés Hotel, specifically, from the Iglesia de Santiago, situated metres from our doors.
Along with the religious celebrations, Holy Week is also savoured in each of the culinary events that are carried out in Seville. Codfish stew in the typical Lenten pottage, or in other examples of culinary innovation, and sweets, such as the classic torrijas, wind fritters, or pestiños, are the protagonists in Sevillian bars and restaurants on these dates.
Two weeks after Holy Week, Sevillians rejoice in celebrating the Feria de Abril, a week in which Andalusian folklore is centralised through music and dance, costumes and cuisine.
Considered a Festival of International Touristic Interest, the Sevillian Feria de Abril, which was first celebrated in the mid-19th century as a cattle fair, is launched with the famous “illumination”: the lighting of thousands of coloured light bulbs that illuminate both ends of the fair. The booths are comprised of members that share kinship or friendship and are conceived as areas where they can enjoy each others’ company while indulging in the gastronomy, song and dance.
Carriages and jockeys evoke the Andalusian country spirit of the fair through the so-called horse ride.
The Feria de Abril is carried over to the Plaza de Toros of the royal Maestranza, where a bullfight is held for each day of the fair.
The finale is a firework display that marks the end of the Feria de Abril on Sunday.
Calle Santiago, 31, 41003 Seville
Phone: +34 954 50 20 63
concierge@palaciovillapanes.com
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