Schmap Seville Historical Background

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Seville - Historical Background
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Many poets and writers have used the legend of the origin of Seville in their works. Two such are the brothers Joaquín and Serafín Alvarez Quintero in their dramatic poem Historia de Sevilla (History of Seville) that begins:

"Mr Hercules, bored on the planet, was searching for a pretty place to set up a tavern. As he was passing a place where today the Alameda stands, (and it is because of what happened there that since then it has the name it has), he stopped in amazement; breathing hard, he looked at the ground, then at the sky, and said, 'Brother, what a land." Contrary to the mythological version, scientific history verifies an age of 7,000 years for the dolmens (prehistoric sepulchral chamber) at Aljarafe and El Gandúl, in the municipal district of Alcalá de Guadaira, although the ones at Dólmenes de Valencina de la Concepción are more well known. Archaeological remains also exist in the villages of the province, like at Carmona where the Museo de la Necrópolis (The Necropolis Museum) is located. Osuna, or the region of Estepa, has the oldest Iberian remains from southern Europe. You can view some of these remains in the Museo Arqueológico Municipal (Municipal Archaeology Museum) in Marchena.

The Phoenicians

In the year 800 BC, Phoenician merchants settled in the valley of the Guadalquivir River, in a city that may have been Seville: the city's name, Tartessus, was given to the river and a kingdom. Biblical quotations and Greek historians confirm the existence of treasures such as that of El Carambolo. The Tartessians must have lived on the cornice of the Aljarafe, and their descendants established a city called Hispalis, or present-day Seville. When in 206 BC the Second Punic War began, Scipio reached these lands, defeated Asdrúbal, and established the city of Itálica, the birthplace of the Roman emperors Hadrian and Trajan.

The Romans

Italica fell in favour of Hispalis (Roman Seville). The city experienced a period of expansion and growth. A walled acropolis with several access doors was built, though nowadays all that remain are the Arco de la (Macarena Arch) and the Postigo del Aceite (Oil Gate). Hispalis later moved between Caesar and Pompey who engaged in the battle of Munda in 43 BC (between Osuna and Estepa) in which Osuna emerged victor. After this, Hispalis became a Roman colony with the right of Roman citizenship. Vestiges of Roman civilisation remain in the city's Museo Arqueológico (Archaeological Museum). Hispalis was the true political, economic and administrative centre of the southern Iberian Peninsula. In the Fourth century Christianity was legalised, and in the Fifth and Sixth centuries the Suevo and Visigothic invasions occurred.

Muslim Seville

The arrival of the Muslims in 711 caused a radical transformation in the whole Peninsula, though especially in the south, which they inhabited longest. Isbilia (the Arabic name for Seville) blossomed with its Arabic-Andalusian culture mix. Jews, Mozarabs (Christians living under Arab rule) and various Arab ethnic groups lived together in harmony. Isbilia was an important city, although Cordoba's status as capital of Andalusia rankled her citizens and caused several uprisings against Cordoba. Seville flourished culturally under the rule of al-Mutadid (Eleventh century). In 1085 al-Mutadid was forced to call on the aid of the Almoravids and was subsequently exiled. Once again Seville bloomed culturally under the Almoravids and their successors the Almohads. The Twelfth century saw a flourishing economy, population growth, and extensive building projects. The Giralda, the minaret of the mosque, is a splendid example.

The Reconquest

In 1248, after Ferdinand III reconquered Isbiliaand expelled the Muslims, the city was renamed Seville. It was repopulated by Christians, and a significant Jewish quarter emerged. The Alcázar became the residence of the Christian monarchs. Seville blossomed, especially under Alfonso X the Wise, son of Ferdinand III, and Pedro I The Cruel. You can see the Arabic influence in the religious buildings of the era, for example in churches such as Santa Marina, Iglesia de San Marcos, or in the tower of the church of Iglesia de Santa Catalina.

Gate to America

In the Fifteenth century under the Catholic monarchs, Seville became great, despite events such as the establishment of the Inquisition. The city became the gateway to the New World with its discovery by Christopher Columbus.

Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

Seville's brilliance declined in the Eighteenth century, though she retained memories of having been the most important city in Spain. The Napoleonic invasion occurred in the Nineteenth century (1808-1812), and part of Seville's artistic wealth was transported to France. After the departure of the French, Seville became immersed in the ups and downs of political life that were a feature of Spain for most of the century. At the end of the century of Romanticism, the renowned Spanish Romantic poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer emerged. He is commemorated in a beautiful monument in the Parque de María Luisa.

Republic and War

The Iberoamerican Exposition of 1929 in Seville was the first significant event in the twentieth century that began a new renaissance. Beautiful monuments such as Plaza de España bear witness to this event. Later came the brief period of the Second Republic (the first was in the 1870s), and the Franco regime. Queipo de Llano took La Plaza de Sevilla the day after the uprising of 18 July 1936, and the city scarcely felt the effects of the war, unlike many other parts of Spain, such as Barcelona and Madrid. The nation-wide famine of the 1940s hit the country hard. In the 1950s and 1960s, in the middle of the dictatorship, the country began to recover somewhat.

Democracy

With the arrival of democracy at the end of the 1970s, and the establishment of the Statute of Autonomies, Seville became the provincial capital and headquarters of its principal autonomous bodies. It retains the status of one of the most important capitals of Spain, and among its most beautiful. The staging of the International Exposition of 1992 in Seville endowed the city with an impressive infrastructure, including communications, accommodation and restaurants, ensuring many prospects for progress throughout the Twenty-First century. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Museum of Contemporary Art) now administers some of the Expo pavilions.

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Archaeology Museum

Vestiges of Andalusia's past

Plaza de América
Seville 41013
Spain
+34 95 423 2401

The current Archeological Museum of Seville traces its roots to the mid-19th Century, with the creation of a few private collections that today have been integrated into the present museum. However, it was not until a century later when the museum achieved independent existence. Upon separating from the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, it would take up home in the present-day building, built by Aníbal González for the Fine Arts Pavilion of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. It was ceeded in 1941 by the Seville Town Hall to the State, so the museum could permanently take up residence there. The Museum has three floors: in the bottom floor prehistoric remains from the province are on display to the public, arranged in chronological order, from the Lower Paleolithic in Room I to the Iberoturdetano Period in Room X. On the main floor, materials from the Roman era and following eras are displayed. These materials come from all over the province, and even from further, but the majority of them, above all those of greatest artistic quality, were found in the excavations done in the ancient city of Itálica, birthplace of the emperors Trajano and Adriano. The first floor is reserved for various museum services and for researchers. The Archeological Museum has become, thus, the center of conservation and difusion of the material testimonies that illustrate the process of Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula, and that help know more about life in this period.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Dolmens of Valencina de la Concepción

A Chalcolithic settlement Plaza de España 9
Casa de la Cultura
Seville, Seville 41907
Spain
The set of dolmens in the Valencina de la Concepcion district of Seville can be found on a hill in Aljarafe. The dolmens date from 2000 B.C., that is, the Eneolithic or Chalcolithic period, the transition period between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. This is therefore a set of dolmens that date from a relatively late prehistoric period. There are about 20 dolmens in this area. You can visit one called La Pastora with a 46m-long passage and a shorter one known as Matarrubilla. To round off your visit to the monument, you can watch a short film in the Casa de Cultura in Valencina de la Concepcion where you can also see an exhibition of the objects found during excavation work. Visits must be arranged by telephone.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Itálica

City of the Roman Empire Avenida de Extremadura 2
Seville, Seville 41970
Spain
This archaeological site called Itálica was a Roman city founded by Scipio more than 2,200 years ago. It's an impressive area where you can see some real marvels of Roman culture like mosaics, a theatre, Roman baths and a majestic amphitheatre where the famous gladiator fights once took place. Itálica is the birthplace of the Roman emperors Trajano and Adriano. It's worth also visiting Seville's Archeological Museum in the Plaza de América. There's a regular bus service to the site from the Plaza de Armas bus station and there are good bars and restaurants nearby where you can sample fine local food.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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La Giralda Minaret

An impressive Moorish minaret Plaza Virgen de los Reyes
Alemanes, s/n
Seville 41004
Spain
+1 34 95 421 4971 Seville's most impressive building was originally a Moorish minaret, known as the Mohammedan minaret of La Giralda. It is attached to its adjacent mosque which was later converted into the cathedral bell tower with the addition of Renaissance-style balconies. It's well worth climbing to the top for some stunning views of the city.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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María Luisa Park

The lungs of Seville Avenida de la Borbolla
Paseo de las Delicias, s/n
Seville 41013
Spain
+34 95 422 1404 Sitting in the centre of the city is a huge expanse of parkland planted with a wide variety of trees from all over the world. This is the perfect place to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon. It has been carefully laid out with lots of space to wander among the exotic plants and numerous areas where you can sit and rest. You can rent bicycles and even take a horse-drawn carriage ride. It's named after Princess María Luisa who donated some of the land and plants from her palace gardens to start the public park. Inside, you'll find examples of all styles of architecture in the buildings erected as pavilions for Seville's 1929 Ibero-American Expo. Join one of the free guided tours given by students of the tourism school on weekends. Admission: free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Spanish and international artists Pasarela De La Cartuja
Isla de la Cartuja
Seville 41002
Spain
Created in 1991 by the Assembly of Andalusia, it has since served as an exposition center in various locations. Installed in 1998 in the Reales Atarazanas, it also presents temporary expositions in the rooms of the Arenal. The museum's primary objective since its creation is to create a collection of Spanish and international art from the late 70s to the present. Currently, they are on the way to achieving their goal, given that much money has been invested in the purchase of 30 works by artists such as Broto, Sicilia, Peinado, Curro González, Ray Smith, and Pedro J Romero.

If contemporary art is what you're looking for in the Andalusian capital, you must visit this museum. But be sure to carefully arrange your visit, given that the museum is closed on Mondays and on holidays.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Museum of the Roman Necropolis

Important pantheons and funeral art Avenida Jorge Bonsor 9
Seville, Seville 41410
Spain
+34 95 414 0811 The name Jorge Bonsor is not linked only to the Roman Necropolis and Museum, but also to all of Carmona, a city 20km from Seville where this French citizen once lived. Possessing a fine artistic sensibility, Bonsor wanted to be a painter, and came to Spain in search of its landscapes. He never suspected that his destiny was waiting for him in Carmona, where he would trade in his paintbrushes for archeology. On May 24, 1885 he formed the Archeological Society of Carmona. Among his goals was that of excavating the Roman Necropolis and preserving the findings in a museum. The same day as the founding of the Society he inaugurated the Roman Necropolis and the Museum that remained open to the public with more than 225 tombs. Bosnor and a group of Carmonians were practically pioneers: their museum is one of the first archeological museums in Spain. In addition, concerning the "museumifying" of the Necropolis they were ahead of their time by many decades; it was many years until something similar was attempted in Spain. Despite the toll the centuries have taken, the remains of this ancient Roman cemetery are impressive. There are many significant tombs, but the most noteworthy, for its size, are that of Servilia and the tomb of the Elephant. The latter is a tomb-sanctuary dedicated to the cult of Cybele and Attis. The second room exhibits materials dating from the 1st cenury AD and proceeding from findings in the tombs: urns, furnshings (lighting, glass objects, etc.) and pieces of sculpture, such as busts of people that remain anonymous. The third room is a monograph dedicated to the tomb of Sevilla: the statue of this lady, in a toga; a statue of a child; a sculpture of a lying bacchanal; and in a glass case, the remains of a mural. In the last room abundant glass and ceramic pieces, of tables and amphoras, are displayed.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Plaza de España

Fine example of regionalist architecture Glorieta de Anibal González
Seville 41013
Spain
+34 95 423 9909 A magnificent semi-circular square that has become a symbol of the city. Along with the adjacent building it was designed by Aníbal González for Seville's 1929 Ibero-American Expo in a style that has become known as Andalusian regionalist because it employed a mixture of architectural influences from the past including Renaissance and Gothic. The most oustanding feature is the overwhelming use of exposed red brick. The inner part of the square contains a series of glazed-tile depictions of historical scenes from every province in Spain. A canal runs around the perimeter of the square where you can hire a rowing boat or motor boat for a short pleasure trip.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Royal Alcázar

Arab palace in the heart of Seville Plaza del Triunfo
Patio de Banderas, s/n
Seville 41004
Spain
+34 95 450 2323 Muslim ruler Abd Ar Rahman III had this Mudéjar-style palace built in 913. The variety of tiles, ornamental arches, crafted wooden ceilings and geometric designs are a wonderful demonstration of Arabic interior design. The most impressive rooms are the Patio de Banderas with the Giralda Tower behind it, the Patio de las Doncellas and the Patio de la Montería. The Salón de los Embajadores (Ambassadors' Hall) is especially ornate. The beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains outside it create a truly peaceful atmosphere. Social events, musical and theatrical performances are held here.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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San Marcos Church

Interesting Gothic Mudejar temple Plaza de San Marcos
Seville 41003
Spain
+34 95 421 1425 This church has three naves separated by pointed arches and a beautiful Mudejar-style tower that is reminiscent of the Giralda tower that adjoins the cathedral. There are two impressive baroque sculptures inside that are believed to be the work of Juan de Mesa dating from the 17th century. The adjoining Servitas chapel houses a group of famous sculptures called "La Piedad" that were carved by José Montes de Oca in 1730.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Santa Catalina Church

Mudéjar church and Baroque chapel Plaza Ponce de León
Seville 41003
Spain
This church was formerly a mosque and still conserves an Arabic tower with bell exactly as it was in the time of the Moors. The Gothic style main door to the church once belonged to the Church of Saint Lucy (Saint Lucía) and was hung in its current spot in 1930. Behind this door there is a small atrium and another door with an enormous Arabic horseshoe arch. If you like ornate Baroque chapels you'll love the Sacramental Chapel here and Pedro de Campaña's Arrepentimiento de San Pedro. The image of the Exultant Christ is attributed to Pedro Roldán.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Santa Marina Church

Old Mudéjar tower Calle San Luis 31
Seville 41003
Spain
This Mudéjar style church was built at the beginning of the 14th century, and rebuilt by Pedro I in 1356. With the arrival of the Muslims, the Christians hid many religious objects, and when the Moors were driven out, a white stone statue of the Virgin and Child was discovered. This statue was placed in the chapel and was worshipped with the name of Nuestra Señora de la Piedra (Our Lady of the Stone). However, at present, the whereabouts of this statue are unknown, and the same legend exists as that surrounding the Virgen de la Piedad, which was in this church with the "La Mortaja" (The Shroud) Brotherhood until they moved to the Paz Convent.Masses:1p Su

Review © 2007, Wcities

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Seville - Historical Background"
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Seville - Where to Stay
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Seville - Art & Entertainment
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