Seville, Spain

Nearby areas in Seville, Spain

El Arenal

Bound by the Rio Guadalquivir and guarded by the 13th-century Torre del Oro, this was once a munitions and shipping district. Today, it is dominated by the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, a dazzling bullring. The neighborhood streets are busy with many bars and wine shops that are especially popular during the summer bullfighting season. The east bank of the river is a tree-lined promenade with excellent views of Triana and La Isla de la Cartuja across the water. Other popular attractions include the Baroque hospital and its chapel filled with Murillo paintings, and the Museo de Bellas Artes' stunning collection of art from the Seville School.

Santa Cruz

The Old Jewish Quarter is a maze of white alleyways and patios that is recognized as the city's most picturesque neighborhood. Many of Seville's best-known sites are here, like the enormous Gothic cathedral and its landmark tower, La Giralda. Also here is the splendid Reales Alcázares, with the royal palaces and lush gardens of Pedro I and Carlos V. North and South Americans in particular are fascinated by the Archivo de Indias, documents from Spain's conquest of the Americas. One of Seville's favorite shopping streets, Calle de las Sierpes, is surrounded by market squares that appear in some of Cervantes' stories.

Triana

This insular area used to be the gypsy quarter and is now a traditional working-class district made up of tightly-knit, flowery streets. The feeling of independence is tangible and its excellent reputation for ceramics and pottery is centuries old. The prettiest entrance to the district is via the Plaza del Altozano, a square with wrought-iron balconies called miradores. Close-by you'll find Calle Rodrigo de Triana, a characteristic street with houses painted in white and ocher. Its namesake is the Andalusian sailor who first spotted the shores of the New World on Columbus' voyage of 1492. The 13th-century Iglesia de Santa Ana is a lovely church with the Gypsy Font believed to pass on the gift of flamenco song to the children of the faithful.

For more information about Seville, Spain

Seville Tourist Information Center

Avenida de la Constitución, 21, Seville, Spain, phone 011-34-95-422-1404, fax 011-34-95-422-9753, email otsevilla@andalucia.org.

Chicago

845 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, phone 312-642-1992, fax 312-642-9817.

Los Angeles

8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 960, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, phone 213-658-7188, fax 213-658-1061.

Miami

1221 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1850, Miami, FL 33131, phone 305-358-1992, fax 305-358-8223.

New York

666 5th Avenue, 35th floor, New York, NY 10103, phone 212-265-8822, fax 212-265-8864.