Seville
capital of Andalusia

Seville, with a population of over one million inhabitants, is the capital of the Spanish region of Andalusia. Seville is also the main financial, cultural, and artistic centre of the southern area of the country. When they travel to Seville for a vacation, visitors are greeted by a variety of antique constructions, including many *Moorish buildings of unique characteristics.

The city of Seville was controlled by the Moors for several centuries, between the 8th and the 11 century. Around the year 1025, this city went through a short period of independence, after which it became controlled by Ferdinand III of Castile. Throughout its entire history, and mainly due to its strategically located port, this city has had an important impact in the commercialization of the products of that region of Spain.

One of the most interesting constructs visitors can visit in Seville is its cathedral. The Cathedral of Seville was constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries in the same spot where the Mosque used to be. This building is recognized as one of the largest Medieval and Gothic constructions of the world. It was built maintaining and incorporating some of the mosque's structural elements, such as, for example, some of the columns of that former building.

Another construction that tourists should not miss during their vacation in Seville is The Alcázar. The Alcázar, located in front of the Catedral de Madrid, is the old Moorish Palace of the city, and one of the most peculiar buildings visitors can see when they travel to this special vacation destination. Another unique construction, located nearby, is The Alcázar is the Torre del Oro. The Torre del Oro, was constructed by request of the Almohad dynasty with the purpose of offering a defensive barrier from possible enemies that could approach the city from the river.

April can be a great time of year for visiting Seville, since during this month the city celebrates what is known as La Feria de Sevilla. Another interesting time to travel to this city is during the Holy Week or Semana Santa, one of the most celebrated festivals in all of Spain. During these festivities, Sevillian women wear traditional **flamenco dresses, and the entire city becomes very lively and attractive, full of dances and music in a friendly environment.

Seville also counts with a very interesting local cuisine, which visitors should not leave without trying. This city is famous worldwide by its traditional polvorones, usually made with sugar, lard, almonds, and flour. Also, while taking a vacation in Seville, tourists should not miss the Roscos Fritos, a ring shaped fried pastry covered by sugar, or the Yemas de San Leandro, made by the nuns of the city.

It is also interesting to know that Seville was the birth town of an important number of famous Spanish people. Among these famous people, the composer Cristóbal de Morales, the painters Velázquez and Murillo, the historian Bartolomé de las Casas, the poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Antonio Machado, Vicente Aleixandre, Isabel Pantoja, Carmen Sevilla, and Joaquín Turina – among others.

*The Moors were the Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (now known as Spain and Portugal) during the medieval period. The culture of the Moors, which had several very unique attributes, is termed "Moorish." The Moors were primarily Arabs, Berbers, and Ethiopians. Today, the term is used in reference to the residents of Mauritania.

** Flamenco originally consisted of regional songs that were sung with no musical accompaniment - called "cante." Later, the songs were accompanied by flamenco guitar "toque," rhythmic hand clapping "palmas," rhythmic feet stomping "zapateado" and finally dance "baile." It is the dance that most people relate to the term Flamenco.