SEVILLE 🇪🇸 Travel Guide 2024: From Real Alcazar to Plaza de España
Welcome to Seville! Famous for its fiery flamenco dancing and rich Moorish heritage, this Andalusian gem is unmissable when visiting Southern Spain. Join me to discover the splendours of this vibrant city, as we explore some of the best sights of Seville and learn about its rich history! Let’s go! Vamos!
Hola, fellow travellers. Ken here from KenTravels360. If you’re new to this channel, I love travelling and cruising, and I share useful tips I’ve discovered during my travels, along with honest reviews of flights and cruises. This weekend, we are heading to Seville for a winter sun city break.
Yesterday, we had a day trip to the picturesque city of Cadiz, and I covered that in the linked video, so check it out if you’re interested. Today, in this video, we are going to explore some of the most important and most iconic attractions of Seville, and along the way
We will learn about the rich history and vibrant culture that this Andalusian gem has to offer. We will begin our tour at Real Alcazar. Let’s rewind the clock to the 10th century. Seville had been under Moorish rule for a couple of centuries. In the year 913,
The construction of a fortress that would later become the Alcazar was started. Initially it was conceived as a military stronghold and residence for the governors. As Seville thrived under Moorish rule, the Alcazar underwent expansions and enhancements. The fortress evolved beyond its military functions and began to
Incorporate elements of palatial architecture. Moorish influences adorned its structure with horseshoe arches, intricate tilework, and mesmerizing geometric patterns. In 1248, the Christian forces, led by King Fernando III, successfully reclaimed Seville during the Reconquista, recapturing the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. Under Christian rule, the Alcazar underwent significant reconstruction and modification,
And most of the Islamic-era structure disappeared. During the reign of King Pedro I, from 1350 to 1369, he embarked upon a complete rebuilding of the palace. What you now see is actually a rebuild of the Alcazar in mudejar style. He wanted to build a beautiful palace that blended Moorish, Gothic,
Renaissance, and later, Mudejar styles. This blending of architectural influences resulted in the unique and visually stunning characteristics of the Alcazar. To visit the Real Alcazar, I highly recommend buying the tickets from the official website before your trip. To avoid overcrowding, the number of
Tickets are limited, so it makes sense to purchase the tickets in advance. Plus, you get to avoid the long queue at the ticket office. You enter the Real Alcazar via the Puerta del León, or the Lion Gate. This gate leads to the Patio del Leon, The Lion’s Courtyard.
This was where King Pedro used to give his judgements. Before we get into the palace of Pedro I we’ll check out this Salon del Almirante or the Admiral’s Hall. This used to house the Casa de la Contratacion an institution founded by Queen Isabel I after the discovery of America, to control the trade
Between Spain and the New World. Queen Isabel I tried to build a more European-style wing, but the overall style doesn’t really integrate well with the rest of the Alcazar. Many of the early voyages would have been planned in this room, Cuarto del Almirante.
Next to it is the Sala de Audiencias, also known as the Capilla de los Navigantes. It has an artesonado ceiling inlaid with golden rosettes. Inside, there’s a beautiful painting by Alejo Fernández from the early 16th century. It shows the Virgin of the Navigators protecting explorers and their ships. The details are so clear
That naval historians find it really helpful. The painting includes Columbus (wearing gold) and the Pinzón brothers, who sailed with him. King Carlos V, in a red cloak, stands under the Virgin. In the back, on the left, are the kneeling Indians who had the
Dubious blessings of Christianity that had been brought by the Spanish conquest. The artwork reflects the belief at the time that Spain had a special mission from God. Next, we will visit the palace of Pedro I. There are two major highlights here.
The first highlight is the Patio de las Doncellas, or the Patio of the Maidens. The name refers to an old tradition where Christians presented one hundred virgins annually to the Moorish kings. The heart of the patio has been restored to its original 14th-century state after
Being hidden under tiles for four centuries. The court features beautifully crafted elements, such as a plaster frieze, a dado made of colourful azulejos, and doors showcasing the finest Granada craftsmanship. Notice the unique architectural blend here. Mudejar style on the lower level and Renaissance style on the
Upper level, including those double columns. While the room is decorated in a Muslim style, the actual ornamentation is Christian and European, as you can see symbols of kings, animals, and buildings. Images are forbidden in Islam. Well next, we have the most stunning room of the whole Alcazar, Salon de Embajadores, the
Salon of Ambassadors. It features a fantastic wooden dome with red, green, and gold patterns, and horseshoe arches inspired by the palace of Medina Azahara near Córdoba. The inscription says it was built by craftsmen from Toledo and finished in 1366.
Moving past the fancy Salón de Embajadores, we reach the last grand room in the palace, the Patio de las Muñecas, or the Patio of the Dolls. This was the King’s living quarters. It gets its quirky name from two tiny faces on one of the smaller arches. This place is thought to be where
The harem used to be in the original palace. After checking out all the highlights, we strolled through the gardens, admiring the fountains and orange trees. Overall, Real Alcazar is definitely a must-see in Seville, and I highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance. For the best experience with
Fewest crowds, consider securing the earliest available time slot. As the day progresses, the attraction tends to get quite crowded with tourists. Our next stop is the Seville Cathedral, whose history is intricately interwoven with the broader history of Seville. The origins of this iconic structure date back to the
12th century, when the Almohad Mosque, or the Great Mosque of Seville was constructed. Back in 712 AD, the city was conquered by the Moors, and it flourished as a stronghold under Moorish rule. Fast forward to 1248, Seville was reclaimed by Christian forces, during the Reconquista by King Fernando III. That marked
A turning point in the city’s history. The new rulers faced the question of what to do with the mosque. Rather than demolishing it entirely, which was a common practice during that period, a decision was made to repurpose the mosque into a cathedral, and they consecrated it to Virgin Mary.
In 1356, an earthquake caused significant damage, so that eventually, in 1401, the church authorities decided to demolish the old structure and rebuild a new, spectacular one. Legend has it that they exclaimed “Let’s construct a church on so magnificent a scale that future generations will believe we were mad”. The result is the staggering
Cathedral behind me. It was thought to be third largest church in the world, after St. Paul’s in London and St Peter’s in Rome. The only structure that was kept was the minaret, which was converted into the bell tower of the new cathedral, and is now known as La Giralda, named after its weather vane
At its top. Inside the cathedral, there are a few important highlights. You will find the Mausoleum of Christopher Columbus. His remains were transferred from Cuba to Seville and now rest in this tomb. It is adorned with a bronze coffin, carried by four figures symbolising the kingdoms
Of Castile, León, Aragon and Navarre. Another highlight is the Capilla Real, the Royal Chapel, and it’s built on the site of the original burial chapel. It was here that Ferdinand III, the king who reclaimed Seville from the Moors in the
Reconquista in 1248, as well as several other members of the Spanish monarchy, were buried. You can also climb up the minaret of the cathedral, La Giralda. You will get a great view over the city centre when you are at the top of the 104-metre high tower. After visiting the cathedral,
Check out the nearby Archivo General de Indias, housed in a magnificent building that used to be the merchants’ commodity exchange. The interior of the building is visually stunning. Look at this grand staircase in pink and black marble, and these bookcases in Cuban wood.
The archive contains an incredible collection of documents from the Spanish Empire’s colonial period, including maps and administrative records. I think these might be just empty cardboard boxes. If you’ve been enjoying this video, I would kindly ask you to give this video a thumbs up,
And please consider subscribing to this channel with the notification bell. This way, you will be notified whenever I release a new video. Next, we are here to explore the stunning Plaza de España. This massive, semicircular plaza was designed to be the centrepiece of the Ibero-American
Fair in 1929. That’s kinda like the World Expo. The goal of the exhibition was partly to make symbolic peace with its former colonies in Latin America, and partly to stimulate the local and national economy, which was still recovering from the effects of the First
World War, and finally also to promote the city. Unfortunately that coincided with the Wall Street crash and the onset of the Great Depression, so the fair left the city with a substantial debt. But, this beautiful square remains. With a diameter of 200 metres,
It was designed by architect Aníbal González in Spanish Renaissance style. Two towers flank the plaza, along with fountains, yeah, fountains, and majestic stairways. The four bridges in the square represent the first four kingdoms of Spain: Castilla, León, Aragon and Navarre. Each one adorned with a unique ceramic
Decoration and its shield at the highest point of the bridge. There’s a canal that runs through the middle, and you can actually rent a boat here to row around the canal. Around the crescent, you will find 52 benches and mosaics of azulejo tiles
Each depicting a Spanish province. This is why this square is called Plaza de España, as each province is represented here. After soaking in the grandeur of Plaza de España, it’s almost time for dinner. We will now head to the centre of the old town. But before dinner, we have
One more attraction to visit, a relatively new addition to Seville. Well, we are here at Setas de Sevilla at night. The Metropol Parasol, commonly known as Setas de Sevilla, which means Seville Mushrooms, was built as part of the urban redevelopment of the Plaza de la Encarnación.
The goal was to revitalize the square, create a modern architectural landmark, and provide new facilities for public use. Designed by architect Jürgen Mayer, the structure consists of a series of striking wooden parasols that form a distinctive canopy. Locals lovingly call it “Las Setas,” or “The Mushrooms,” because of their shapes.
The design is not just for show. They provide shade during the day and illuminate beautifully at night, creating a magical atmosphere in the heart of the city. And you can even buy a ticket to get on the walkway that runs over them, culminating in a viewing platform.
Well, this evening, we are having tapas at this tapas bar called Alfafa 8, or Alfafa Ocho. Right, we’ve just ordered our tapas. Let’s have some beer. Cheers. Right, the first starter has arrived. It’s the chicken wings, I think. Chicken sticks. Yes, chicken sticks. The next tapas has arrived. It’s these prawns croquetas (croquettes).
Our next dish has arrived. It’s boletus risotto. That means mushroom risotto, really. Let me show you. Well, our last tapas has arrived. Guess what it is. It’s the ribs. Hmmm, they are really good. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour of Seville. For a lot of people visiting Seville, Cadiz is actually a
Great day trip option. To find out what you will see on a day trip there, watch this video next. See you over there. Hasta la vista! This Andalucian gem is unmissable when visiting Southern France. Join me. Right, so next pas, not pasta. The next pasta…
Welcome to Seville!
Join me as I take you on a journey through the vibrant streets of this Andalusian gem.
From the majestic Real Alcazar to the awe-inspiring Seville Cathedral, we delve into the city’s rich history and cultural heritage.
Follow along as we explores the new iconic landmarks, such as Plaza de España and Setas de Sevilla.
Finally, we round off the perfect day in Seville with a mouthwatering tapas experience.
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#spaintravel
0:00 Intro
1:14 Real Alcazar
7:33 Seville Cathedral
10:20 Archivo General de Indias
11:21 Plaza de España
13:28 Setas de Sevilla
14:31 Tapas at Alfafa 8