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Five Things To Do And See In Seville
Seville,
one of the largest Spanish cities is the capital of southern Spain's Andalusia region
and is rich in Moorish heritage. This is visible in everything from the
colourful painted tiles that adorn many buildings to the lobed arches of the
palaces. Seville is a popular tourist destination, and the city has one of the
largest old towns in
Spain.
It is
famous worldwide due to its culture, monuments, traditions, and artistic
heritage, with many attractions, both modern and historical making it a great place to visit. If you planned a trip to Seville, you have jumped on the right site to get guidance about what to do and see in Seville.
1. Seville Aquarium
The
Seville Aquarium is open all year round and is located next to the river on
Calle Santiago
Montoro. Both fresh and salt-water species are on display with 35 different
tanks throughout the attraction, housing around 7,000 fish, mammals, and
reptiles, with more than 400 different species.
This aquarium is one of the major oceanariums in entire Europe. It is also counted
as the deepest shark tank of the Iberian Peninsula. It has a depth of nine
meters, a capacity of two million litres of water if you want to see the sea
turtles and different species of sharks.
Visitors
can see the two newly renovated ecosystems, The Rainforest and The Mangrove,
home to hundreds of tropical fish. This aquatic day out is educational as it is
important, and the Aquarium of Seville works very hard to inform its visitors
about the dangers facing our oceans.
2. Seville Cathedral
Visitors
can explore one of the world's biggest cathedrals that has a stunning exterior.
The
inside of Seville Cathedral is just as impressive, with an enormous main hall
that houses
one of the largest altarpieces worldwide. Flanking the hall, you'll find 80
individual chapels dedicated to the many saints and noble figures that played a
part in the city's religious history. The Cathedral has an enchanting
courtyard. It has orange blossom penetrating the air.
And
after you've explored the ground levels, climb the legendary Giralda tower and
enjoy far-reaching views of Seville and the lush Andalusian countryside.
The
Cathedral was built as a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville Moorish Spain. It was constructed during the
reign of the Almohad dynasty. The Catholics later added a
top with Renaissance-style when the Muslims were excluded from the area.
3. The Royal Alcázar of Seville
The
Palace of Seville is known as the Royal
Alcazar. The first-ever Caliph of Andalucía constructed this palace as a
Moorish fort in the 10th century. But the construction of the present Royal
Alcazar was started in the 14th century.
The
Royal Alcázar is a marvellous UNESCO-listed palace complex still in use by the
Spanish royal family. Their chambers, staterooms, and ornate halls are on the
upper level. The palace is absolutely beautiful, with the walls tiled in rich
hues, hallways decorated with crystal lamps and vast tapestries, and the
intricate ceilings are stunning. Outside the fountains, lush citrus groves and
manicured gardens are enchanting.
As you
all know, Seville was the capital of Al-Andalus; Alcazar was made as the main
residence of the Almohade caliphs. The previous building was wholly demolished
except the walls. A total of twelve palaces were constructed then.
The palace is well known for its unique tile decoration. Two types of tile are
used, which are arista and majolica tiles. A green body is imprinted in the
arista technique, and each segment of the tile has pointed ridges. This
technique creates tiles with transparent glazes that are not flat. As the
ceramics were made later in about the 15th-16th century, ceramics were made in
tiles later. On the other hand, in the art majolica, ceramics' development made
it possible to paint directly on the surface of ceramics, which is then covered
with an opaque white glaze.
4. The Metropol Parasol
Since
opening in 2011, the Metropol Parasol, known locally as The Mushrooms, has
become a city icon. It is designed as a giant sunshade by German architect
Jürgen Mayer, and it's said to be the world's largest wooden structure; it's
certainly a formidable sight with its 30 meter high mushroom-like pillars and
honeycombed roof. Lift service is used to run from the basement to the top,
where you can enjoy fantastic city views from a winding walkway and cafe.
The wood used in constructing this was imported from Finland because of its
properties. A lot was done to develop some feasible alternative to buttress its
structure. But all of them were proved impractical by the experts due to added
weights. Finally, after this struggle, at the beginning of 2009, a feasible
design was settled using glue s reinforcement. Some estimates show that the
construction of this structure took about 100 million euros.
5. The Flamenco Show Of Seville
Besides
being the capital city of Andalusia, Seville is a unique city where the history
and culture gets mixed with the warmth of its locals and the bustle of
neighbours.
Moreover,
the Capital city is a cradle of flamenco. It is the crystal-clear result of all
cultures that passed through this land throughout its history. A middle voice,
a spontaneous heel, and a guitar sound can be felt around.
If you
love to hear the chords of a guitar, a buleria, a solea, or a tando, consider
visiting the Seville Flamenco show.
Visitors
can explore fascinating exhibits, costumes, props, and more in the Flamenco
Museum and see how flamenco evolved from folk art into a national cultural
institution. Enjoy a high-tech tribute to the traditional dance, with giant
interactive displays that mesmerize you. Then experience a traditional live
flamenco performance at one of the best venues in Seville, a wonderfully
atmospheric 18th-century courtyard.
As mentioned
above are the few things you must consider before planning a trip to Seville.
If you are a fun-loving person, this city has a lot to offer you.