DK Travel : Andalucía and Costa del Sol : Seville

Andalucía’s capital is an aristocratic yet relaxed city , with a fabulous and ancient cultural heritage that dates back beyond recorded history. Its fate has always been tied to its river, the Río Guadalquivir (“the great river” in Arabic), and the trade it offered the city. Today much of the riverfront is made up of an attractive tree-lined promenade. To take in all of the historic centre of Seville would require at least a week, as there is so much to see in the way of art and architecture as well as distinctive neighbourhoods each with their own charm. But its highlights, including the spectacular cathedral, Moorish and Renaissance palaces and fine museums, are all within walking distance of each other and could be handled in a weekend, giving you just a taste of one of Spain’s most beautiful cities.

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La Ilustre Víctima

The name, “The Illustrious Victim”, refers, of course, to the bull. Murals on the walls and a laidback ambience make it a favourite hangout for writers who frequent the Alameda district.
La Lonja

Established in 1785, this is a storehouse for documents relating to the Spanish colonization of the New World (see Archivo de Indias, La Lonja, Seville).
La Macarena

This district is home to Seville’s adored religious icon, the Virgen de la Macarena. During Semana Santa she is paraded on a silver float.
La Maestranza

The “Cathedral of Bullfighting” becomes the focal point when the sporting season opens in April.
La Sacristía

Generous tapas and a good range of wines and sherries.
Los Gallos

Despite its popularity with tourists, the atmosphere here is genuine. First-rate flamenco performers.
Mango

For the latest in younger women’s fashion trends, this is the place to come.
Museo Arqueológico

This Renaissance-style pavilion was also one of the fabulous structures created for the 1929 Exposition and now houses Andalucía’s principal archaeological museum. The assemblage of artifacts ranges from Paleolithic finds, exhibited in the basement, to splendours of Roman and Moorish art, displayed on the upper floors. Outstanding are the Carambolo treasures of Tartessian gold, and the Roman sculpture collection is Spain’s most prestigious.
Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares

Exhibits here include displays on flamenco and bullfighting.
Museo de Bellas Artes, Seville

Among Spain’s finest art repositories, it is second only to the Prado in Madrid for its range of great Spanish paintings. Housed in a former 17th-century convent, the collection focuses on the Seville School, led by Zurbarán, Cano, Murillo and Valdés Leal, including Murillo’s touching Virgen de la Servilleta . Don’t miss El Greco’s poignant portrait of his son and the polychrome terracotta of St Jerome by Florentine sculptor Pietro Torregiano, a colleague of Michelangelo’s.