Seville

• 1. Ancient Foundations And Roman Roots

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  The name Seville derives from the ancient Phoenician word Spal, meaning lowland. Archaeological excavations in 1999 found anthropic remains under the north wall of the Real Alcázar dating to the 8th, 7th century BC. The original core of the city sat on an island in the Guadalquivir River during this early period. Hisbaal was another old name for Seville that appeared during the Phoenician colonisation of the Tartessian culture. This indigenous people controlled the Guadalquivir Valley at the time. The town became known as Hispalis after Roman rule began. Hispalis developed into one of the great market and industrial centres of Hispania. Large-scale Roman archaeological remains exist today in the underground Antiquarium of the Metropol Parasol building. Three pillars of a temple stand in Mármoles Street alongside columns of La Alameda de Hércules. Julius Caesar ordered the first walls surrounding the city to be built. These walls were later rebuilt by Abd ar-Rahman II after the Viking attack on the city in 844.

• 2. Islamic Golden Age And Reconquest

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  Musa ibn Nusayr seemingly took Seville in the late summer of 712 while traveling to Mérida. His son Abd al-Aziz ibn Musa retaken the city in July 713 when Visigothic refugees returned from Beja. Vikings arrived by the 25th of September 844 and stood for 40 days before fleeing from the city. A powerful taifa kingdom with capital in Seville emerged after 1023 under the Abbadid dynasty. The city fell to the Almohads on the 17th of January 1147 following an informal settlement during early stages of their presence. Seville became the definitive seat of the Andalusi part of the Almohad Empire in 1163 as a twin capital alongside Marrakesh. By the end of the 12th century, the walled enclosure perhaps contained 80,000 inhabitants. Ferdinand III laid siege on Seville in 1247 with a naval blockade preventing relief of the city. The city surrendered on the 23rd of November 1248 after fifteen months of siege. Contemporary sources confirm that a mass movement of people out of Seville indeed took place. Public buildings were constructed including churches built in Mudéjar and Gothic styles such as the Seville Cathedral.

• 3. Gateway To The New World

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  Seville was chosen as headquarters of the Casa de Contratación in 1503. This decision made the port and gateway to the Indies possible despite navigation difficulties up the River Guadalquivir. Since only sailing ships leaving from and returning to the inland port of Seville could engage in trade with the Spanish Americas, merchants needed to be present in the city. The city's population grew to more than a hundred thousand people during this golden age of development. In the early 17th century, Seville's monopoly on overseas trade was broken when the port of Cádiz became the monopoly port. Silting of the Guadalquivir river in the 1620s made Seville's harbors harder to use. The Great Plague of Seville in 1649 reduced the population by almost half due to excessive flooding of the Guadalquivir. By the 18th century, Seville's international importance was in steep decline after the monopoly port for trade to the Americas relocated to Cádiz. The House of Trade registered ships, cargoes, and persons traveling to the New World before moving operations. Documents pertaining to Spain's overseas empire were consolidated in a single repository at the Archive of the Indies established in 1785.

• 4. Modernization And Global Events

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  The Museum of Fine Arts opened in 1904 marking cultural growth in the city. In 1929 the city hosted the Ibero-American Exposition which accelerated southern expansion. New public spaces such as Parque de María Luisa and Plaza de España emerged from this event. The Spanish government began modernisation of the city to prepare for expected crowds by erecting new hotels. Workers' groups established barricades during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 while General Queipo de Llano captured Radio Seville. Francisco Franco ruled Spain officially neutral in World War II though collaboration with Axis powers occurred. The shipyard of Seville opened in 1953 eventually employing more than 2,000 workers in the 1970s. Severe flooding occurred in November 1961 when River Tamarguillo overflowed resulting in disaster zone declaration. On the 3rd of April 1979 Spain held its first democratic municipal elections after end of Franco dictatorship. Pope John Paul II arrived in Seville on the 5th of November 1982 officiating Mass before more than half a million people. In 1992 coinciding with fifth centenary of Discovery of Americas Universal Exposition was held for six months. Local communications network and urban infrastructure improved under 1987 PGOU plan launched by Mayor Manuel del Valle. SE-30 ring road around city completed and new highways constructed during this period.

• 5. Architectural Heritage And Landmarks

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  The Seville Cathedral is considered largest Gothic cathedral in world and one of largest cathedrals globally. Current building massive Gothic structure begun after 1401 finished in 1506 with additional reconstruction between 1511 and 1519. Church contains number important tombs including one two claimed burial places Christopher Columbus. Giralda tower minaret main shaft little over 50 meters tall originally built Almohads as Great Mosque of Seville. Tower further heightened 16th century addition large Renaissance-style belfry bringing total height around 95 or 96 meters. Top crowned Giraldillo cast bronze weather vane sculpture from which name derived. Alcázar sprawling palace garden complex served city center power site occupied ancient times but located outside Roman walls. Current palace complex founded 10th century governor's palace then expanded 11th century Abbadid rulers palace. Major construction campaign took place 1360s under Pedro I constructing new palace Mudéjar style aided craftsmen Granada. Richly-decorated chambers courtyards date from period such Patio de las Doncellas Salón de Embajadores. General Archive Indies repository valuable archival documents relating Spanish Empire Americas Philippines up to 1760. Building designed Spanish Renaissance style 1572 Juan de Herrera house merchants guild. Construction began 1580s not finished until 1646 converted into new Archive Indies 1785.

• 6. Cultural Identity And Festivals

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  Fifty-four local brotherhoods organize floats processions throughout Holy Week week reenacting story Passion Christ. Traditional music art incorporated processions making Semana Santa important source material immaterial Sevillian cultural identity. Triana district considered birthplace flamenco where found beginning expression poor marginalized population. Seville Romani population known Flamencos instrumental development art form. More flamenco artists in Seville anywhere else country supporting entire industry surrounding drawing significant tourism. April Fair huge celebration takes place about two weeks after Holy Week previously associated celebrating livestock. Families businesses organisations set casetas marquees spend week dancing drinking socialising during Feria. Women wear elaborate flamenco dresses men dress best suits marquees permanent fairground district Los Remedios. Each street named famous bullfighter. Bi-annual flamenco festival La Bienal claims biggest flamenco event worldwide lasting nearly month. On the 19th of November 2023 Seville hosted 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards FIBES Conference Exhibition Centre first city outside United States host awards. Bitter Seville oranges grow trees lining city streets large quantities collected exported Britain used marmalade. Flowers tree source neroli oil commonly used perfumery skin lotions massage. In 2021 municipal water company Emasesa began pilot scheme use methane produced fruit ferment generate clean electricity.