Seville | Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía | Spain

Seville is located in the South of Spain. A provincial capital, seat of the government and parliament of the Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía (Regional Government). It has more than 700,000 inhabitants. Located by the Guadalquivir river, which crosses the city from North to South. The river can be navigated all the way to Seville´s outlet near Sanlúcar de Barrameda, on the Atlantic coast. In the past the port of Seville played an important role in commerce between Spain and the Americas and it remains today one of the most active river ports of the Iberian peninsula. Its historic center is one of the largest in Europe, with approximately 335 ha, about three miles long by two miles wide. It´s heritage, monuments, scenic areas and cultural variety make it a tourist city of national and international interest.

The Tartessians were the original founders of Hispalis. Next to this settlement, in 207 B.C., the Romans built Itálica, which was the centre of their Western Mediterranean dominions for seven centuries until the Roman Empire was overrun by Northern barbarians at the beginning of the 10th century.

From 711 A.D. to 1248 A.D., Seville suffered a long Moorish occupation, which left indelible traces of historic heritage, as well as many cultural influences in Seville. La Giralda, the tower of an important mosque, is the most important of the remaining Islamic monuments, and many others still well preserved.

In 1492 Seville played an important role in the discovery and conquest of America. The 17th century was a period of artistic splendour in Seville. Painters such as Velázquez, Murillo and Valdés Leal, and sculptors like Martínez Montañés were born in Seville and left behind important works. Seville has raised the evocation of old European artists, that saw in it a quaint and wonderful spot. A total of 114 operas have been set in this city, as La fuerza del destino, Carmen and Las bodas de Fígaro. The city also assumed an important role in world literature and was the birthplace of the myth of Don Juan.

In the architecture of Seville has left evidence of civilizations that have inhabited the city, with a wealth of monuments very important, both religious and civil buildings, influenced by Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, European movements, rationalism, modernism and historicism Andalusian regionalism. In the historical and artistic heritage of the city can be seen several styles as Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and so on.

On two occasions in the 20th century Seville has been in the spotlight of the world's attention. In 1929, it hosted the Latin American Exhibition, which left important urban improvements in the city. More recently, Expo 92 reinforced the image of Seville as a modern and dynamic city, especially with access to AVE railway station Santa Justa. Similarly, in the land released from the Expo have been introduced new technology companies and universities.

Today Seville is a dynamic and vibrant city, rich in culture and tradition. It´s people is well know to be one of the most friendly people in whole Spain, very relaxed and proud of it´s legacy.