SEVILLE

The city was founded by Julio Cesar in 206 b.C. as Colonia Iulia Romula Hispalis. Itsoriginal name was Spal, but the name of Seville cames from de arabian name Isbiliyaat the Medieval Age.Its flag is known with de word NODO (knot in latin) ; and its coat of arms is arepresentation of the king Fernando III, conqueror of the city in 1248, and the visigothic bishops Saint Isidoro and Leandro of Seville.Seville is the capital of Andalucia and have more than 700000 people, It has one of the oldest universities in Spain from 1505, and was the principal trade centre with America.Seville is the city with the biggest historical center in Europe, with the longer list of monuments protected of European cities. For that reason, now is World Heritage ofUNESCO.Seville allowed the Universal Exposure in 1992 and had the first High Speed Train (AVE) in Spain. The buildings of the Expo was converted in tecnological park (Cartuja 93) ,university buildings and the amusement park “Isla Magica”.

Route 1The Cathedral and Giralda Tower.The Cathedral began to build in 1433 over the ancientmosque , in fact, the Patio de los Naranjos and the GiraldaTower are rests from the original mosque. It was built forcenturies in several arquitectonic styles: gothic, renacentist,baroque and neoclasical. Cristobal Colon, the discoverer ofAmerica was buried here.

Royal Castle It´s the oldest real palace in

Europe, founded in 713 byarabians, even today it is real site. Highlights the Ambassadors

Hall covered with a muqarnasdome (plaster stalactites) and

the Palace of the king Pedro Iwith the Patio de las Doncellas,

that was the ancient harenbuilt in spanish Mudejar Style. There are importants too theEmpeoror Hall decorated with

tiles and rugs, and thewonderfull Palace´s Gardens,

with fountains, pavilions andmany orange trees and palms.

Route 2*Basílica Of Great Power

Was built in 1965 in imitation of the Roman Agrippa´s Pantheon.

It was built beside the church of San Lorenzo, in mudejar style from the xiiith century, and it is near the Park

Alameda de Hercules, that was the ancient foro of roman city of Hispalis.

*Hospital of the Blood or Parliament

Was built in XVIthcentury to acommodate all homeless of the

city who went to Seville to go to America.

It worked like

A hospital until 1972, but now is the Parliament of Andalucia.

Basilica of MacarenaWas built in neoclasicstyle between 1941-1949. In 1966 Pope granted

this building with the Title of Minor Basilica.

The name of Macarena

cames from Macaria , daugher of Herakles, the mytical founder of this

city.

Arc of Macarena and Walls

It´s a rest of the ancient wall that you can see today next of this monument. Was built in XIII Century by arabianswho called at this place

qaryat Maqrana or Bab–al-Makrin.

In 1508 was converted in Triumphal Arc by the king Fernando el Catolico, and in 1528 Carlos I of Spain (V of Germany) married with

Isabel of Portugal in front of this monument.

Route 3● Church of Madeleine

The primitive church was built in XIIIth century by the command of the

king Fernando III, to thank God the conquest of Seville in 1248.

In 1811 was destroyed totally by french invaders and reconstructed in barocq style.

This is one of the most important church in Spain to Art students.

Museum of Fine ArtsThis convent was built in XIII century by the Order of the Merced, but was reformed in XVIIth century in barocq style. At that moment, in 1625 was

the house of the playwright Tirso de Molina.

And finally in XIX century was converted in museum of Fine Arts.

Route 4 Saint Cross District● Pilato´s House

This is a renacentistpalace built in 1483, by Pedro Enriquez de Quiñones,the gobernatorof Andalucia. The house was built in renacentistand mudejar style to keep in his large collection of roman and italian art, because He was a great patron and protector of Arts.

Hospital of Venerable Priests

In XVIIth century the Brotherhood of Silence built this hospital and residence to

allow all poor, old and retired priests of the province. His church of San

Fernando is one of the most wonderfull curches in Spain, built and decorated in a

fantastic barocq style.

Now is a museum of Gold Century with a great collection of Diego Velazquez,showroom, concerts room, and more.

*Archbishop's Palace

Was built in manierist(renacentist) style in XVIthCentury. It´s built over roman

baths and arabic Almohad houses.

* Indians Stock

This build was the ancient Merchan Market of the city, but when America was discovered , the build was converted in House Hiring. At this place were signed

all trade agreements with America, and registred each product sold and imported

from America , the ships and fleets,the ship´s company; for that reason nowadays it´s the Indian Stock. The build contains more of 40.000 documents, with 80

millions of pags and 8.000 maps from the colonial eve.

City Hall of SevilleWas built after the discover of America, in XVth century, over the ancient Convent of San Francisco. It was realized in pure Renacentist style and improved in XIXthcentury by the Fines Arts Academy of San Fernando.

It´s remarcable theColon Hall, where theAdmiral planned thetravels to America

Royal Tobacco Factory - University of Seville

This building was the first tobacco factory in Europe, built in XVIIIthcentury

in neoclasic style.

Today is the central build of the University of Seville, the rector of the university, library and some faculties like History, Philosophy, Laws and Human Sciences.

The film Carmen by Vicente Arandawith Paz Vega was filmed at this

place. (Bizet´s Carmen is an opera about a woman who works in the

tobacco factory of Seville during the invasion of Napoleon).

Carmen

Route 5 Near the River● Spain Square

This huge build have 200 meters of diameter and was built for the IberoamericanExposure of 1929. It´s decorated with tiles of all provinces of Spain, each with a scene of a important moment of their History.

Now is headquarters of the army and administration offices, and some

scenes of the film Star Wars (Ep.2) was filmed here.

Star Wars 2

*Saint Telmo Palace

Was built in XVIIth century to Marina School and University on Merchans.

Now is the seat of the Regional Goberment of Andalucia.

* Gold Tower and Silver Tower

The Gold Tower was built in XIIIth century by Almohadsto protect the river port, and was conected to the Silver Tower in the Castle by a wall.

Both towers kept the gold and silver arrived from America.

Now Gold Tower is the Naval Museum.

Other Important Monuments and sites of interets.

● Lope de Vega Theatre

● Arqueological Museum

● Ethnographic Museum

● Iberoamerican Expose 1929

*Bullring of Royal Cavalry

Maestranza and Bullfighting

Museum.

Was built in XVIIth century to

train nobility in arms and

equestrian techniques. It was

like a roman amphitheater, but now is a bullring and

bullfighting Museum.

* Royal Theatre

of Maestranza

*The mint

(House Of Money)