Seville Travel Guide

Seville has three world-class sights - the Cathedral, said to be the largest in the world; the Giralda Tower, once the tallest building on the planet; and the Alcazar, the superb palace of Seville's rulers - all three right in the city centre and just a few minutes from each other.

Seville Cathedral

It's now said to be larger than its 'rivals' - St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's in London. Its total area is 11,520 square metres, but it's a recent cubic measurement that pushes Seville to #1.

Once the site of the city's mosque, it took just over 100 years to complete. The mosque was demolished except for the Giralda Tower and the Patio de los Naranjos, the orange tree garden seen as you leave.

Highlights include the tomb of Christopher Columbus, although there are doubts about the authenticity of the remains. His tomb is held aloft by four gigantic figures representing Aragón, Castille, León and Navarra.

The decoration is restrained, except for the side chapels and the coro, which dominates the centre of the building. The altarpiece is the world's largest and most magnificent with 45 carved scenes by Pieter Nacart - a lifetime's work.

The Cathedral opens 9.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Saturday, from July to September and 11am - 5pm the rest of the year. On Sundays, it opens 2.30pm - 6pm in summer and 2pm - 6pm the rest of the year.

Giralda Tower

The Giralda Tower is accessed from the Cathedral. When built from 1184-96 as the minaret for the mosque, it was the tallest building on earth. The name comes from the weather-vane, or giradillo, that sits at its top, now the bell-tower of the Cathedral.

Climbing the Giralda takes in 35 sloping inclines, each numbered, and all built of brick. This wasn't some early attempt at wheelchair access - it was to allow two mounted guards to pass each other. Wheelchair users be warned - there's a frustrating short flight of steps at the very top!

Alcazar

The Alcázar has been the palace of the rulers of the city since Roman times, although today's buildings are almost entirely from the Christian period. The style is Mudéjar, the name given to Moors who stayed on under Christian rule.

Before then, there was a great Moorish palace, much extended by the infamous ruler al-Mu'adid to house a harem of 800. He decorated the gardens with flowerpots made from the skulls of his enemies!

For your entrance money you get to see virtually the whole complex.
Salon del Almirante: Pedro I was known as the 'Cruel' and the 'Just' - depending on how his judgments went. Almost the first room you reach is the Sala de Justica, where he dispensed justice. Next to it, the Patio del Yeso is one of the surviving Moorish features.

Palace of Pedro I: It's built around the Patio de las Doncellas, named after the tribute of 100 virgins the Christian community had to give annually to the Moorish king. It's a stunning space, with galleried storeys and water features.

Palace of Carlos V: Carlos wasn't the greatest architectural patron - he messed up Cordoba's Mezquita and Granada's Alhambra. His palace in Seville isn't any great shakes either!

Gardens: You could spend hours here. They feature ponds, fountains, courtyards, a maze, walls with walkways, all well-proportioned and a peaceful haven right in the city centre.