Seville certainly is one of the most loved places by visitors to Spain. Although today Moorish influence is architecturally most evident - Andalucia was occupied by the Moors for about 800 years - it was a cultural center long before.
The fertility of this land and its favourised climate with mild winters and about 3000 hours of sun per year (if you ever have visited it in August, where temperatures can get up to some 47°C, perhaps you won´t be in such favour!) made Phoenicians and Carthaginians settle here. Later came Romans, like to almost any place in Europe, and two of their emperors (Trajan and Hadrian) in fact were born here.
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According to legend, Seville was founded by Hercules and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. It was called Hispalis under the Romans and Isbiliya with the Moors. The high point in its history was following the discovery of America.
Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Parts of its treasures include Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.
It has hosted two international exhibitions (1929 and 1992) and is the administrative capital of AndalucÃa. The quarter of Triana on the other side of the river, La Macarena, Santa Cruz and San Bartolomé, the street of Las Sierpes, plus La Maestranza bullring, MarÃa Luisa park and the riverside walks are all representative images of Seville.
For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Seville is universally famous for being a joyous town. While the Sevillians are known for their wit and sparkle, the city itself is striking for its vitality. It is the largest town in Southern Spain.
