VISIT SEVILLE

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Seville casts a spell of enchantment over visitors from the minute they step foot on the quaint cobblestone lanes and stroll the palm-lined promenades. Elegant edifices, old-fashioned street lamps, and horse-drawn carriages create a magical ambience, and the sights are as stunning as the atmosphere. Seville's cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Christendom with a majestic tower that was once the minaret of a great mosque. Another relic of the Moorish past, the Alcázar dazzles with its lavish Mudéjar decor and lush gardens. Discover the charm of this quintessential Andalusian city in the peaceful courtyards and winding alleys of the medieval Barrio Santa Cruz. Take a walk through the beautiful Parque de María Luisa, and bask in the sun at the Plaza de España, Seville's most graceful square. Fun-loving tourists will want to watch the feisty flamenco performances and take part in the city's famously flamboyant festivals.

Catedral de Sevilla

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in Christendom, unmatched in its impressive scale and abundance of art treasures. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incomparable monument was constructed between 1402 and 1506 on the site of the town's principal mosque. The Giralda Tower was originally the minaret of the mosque built in the 12th century by Almohad Moorish rulers. This 93-meter-high tower of the cathedral is still the emblem of Seville. To arrive at the cathedral, visitors walk through the Patio de los Naranjos (Patio of Orange Trees), which was the forecourt of the mosque. The octagonal fountain in the center is a remnant of the Islamic midha, the fountain for religious ablutions.

Entering the cathedral, visitors are immediately awestruck by the immense proportions of the nave. The five-aisled interior extends 117 meters in length and 76 meters across and soars to 40 meters in height. This overwhelming space is the most grandiose Gothic interior in Spain. The Capilla Mayor (Main Chapel) features a resplendent retablo, considered a masterpiece of Gothic woodcarving. In the center is a silver image of the Virgen de la Sede surrounded by 45 scenes from the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin. In the south transept stands a striking monument to Christopher Columbus, fitting of his historic stature. Behind the Capilla Mayor is the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). Built between 1551 and 1575, this domed Renaissance chapel contains the royal tombs. The Sacristía Mayor is a magnificent 16th-century chamber that contains a large candelabrum and a crucifix by Pieter de Kempeneer. Within the Sacristía Mayor, the Treasury displays the precious gem-adorned crown of the Virgen de los Reyes.

For a break from sightseeing after visiting the cathedral, head to the Calle de las Sierpes, north of the Plaza Nueva. This narrow pedestrian lane is Seville's main shopping street, lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. For a special treat, stop at the Confiteria la Campana to sample enticing Andalusian confections such as candied figs, oranges, and pears.

Address: Catedral de Seville, Plaza del Triunfo, Avenida de la Constitución, Seville

Barrio Santa Cruz: Seville's Most Charming Neighborhood

Brimming with old-fashioned Sevillian charm, the Barrio de Santa Cruz was the Judería (Jewish quarter) during the medieval era under Moorish rule. Many of the quarter's churches were originally synagogues. The Barrio Santa Cruz is found in between the cathedral and the Alcazar. This medieval neighborhood is characterized by its labyrinth of cobblestone pedestrian lanes (too narrow for cars), whitewashed houses with attractive patios, and picturesque shaded plazas with outdoor cafés. Many of the quiet courtyards, such as the Plaza Doña Elvira, are planted with fragrant orange trees. The Plaza Santa Cruz features rose beds and a 17th-century wrought-iron cross in the center.