The Scenic Seville

Situated on the banks of River Guadalquivir, Seville is a beautiful city in southern Spain. It may be described as its financial, cultural and commercial capital as well. An old city with two thousand years of history, it has undergone much changes and presents a very unique picture of resilience and individuality of its own. The city still carries some artifacts of Roman civilization.

The Cathedral of Seville built largely during the 15th century is a grand structure showing Gothic elegance. A minaret, Giralda, on that site earlier had been formed into a bell tower, now sports a statute atop! The Alcazar nearby is another large monument has taken five hundred years to be completed and is a treasure to behold. Torre del Oro is a fine watch tower of antiquity and shows magnificence and elegance. The Town Hall and Plaza de Espana are two other important structures to be visited.

There are atleast ten major museums in Seville and it does not constitute a surprise either. The place is rich with diverse cultures and naturally showcases the varied human endeavours towards a higher cultural strand. The most important one is the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville, containing many paintings of past masters.

The Maria Luisa Park, The Bullfight Museum, The Maritime Museum, The Army Museum are some other delightful places where seekers of knowledge will find plenty of opportunities to learn about the growth of human skills in many areas.

There are as many as twenty great parks and gardens sprinkled throughout the city. The not only adorn the landscape, each in a unique charm, but are great places of rest and repose. More over one learns a lot about the local and distinguished trees. The music emanating from the chirpings of the birds naturally adds to the flavour. The well laid out gardens serve the purpose of relaxation and recreation. The Alcazar Gardens, the Gardens of Murillo, Catalina de Ribera, La Isla Magica, and atleast fifteen other parks add charm to the city.

Semana Santa and April Fair are two great festivals celebrated with gaiety and great enthusiasm by people. As the cultural capital as well, Seville has taken upon itself the responsibility to defend its many legacies of celebrations. The blooming of orange season is fully reflected in Semana Santa. The April Fair instituted in the 19th century principally to celebrate agriculture and cattle has gradually transformed itself into an appreciation and exploration of rural values. The first one, though a religious base, has its attractions for commoners as well while the second one gives great opportunity for the rurals mixing with urbanites. A grand time is had by the participants. The Vela is the merriest of all the festivals, held during the last week of July every year.

Particular mention must be made about different music festivals of the city which draw huge crowds from different parts of Spain and Europe. There is great gathering of Classical, Pop and other genre music most eagerly looked forward to by the musician and the patrons. There is very find understanding of classical system but equal attention is paid to other varieties of music.

Los Galos, El Arenal, tablos de flemencos are but select places for a total enjoyment of night life in Seville. There are other places too where dancing, dining and drinking go on in a dignified manner. The visitors are satisfied with wholesome food at attractive prices, local and European wines of different tastes and finally tasteful dancing and singing to relieve the tedium of day’s work.

From star hotels to dorms there is no dearth of accommodation. Similarly transport is quite accessible and the visitors feel no difficulty whatsoever in reaching from one interesting spot to the other.

All in all, a merry time awaits the tourists in Seville and one longs to return to the place oftener.