Météo Bastia

PARIS WEATHER

5 388 views

Geography
Location	Seville - Andalusia - Spain
Latitude	37.3920997
Longitude	-5.9918908
Altitude	50 meters
Orientation

Info
Owner	Abba Hoteles
Camera	Hikvision
Visitors	5 388 visits

Specifics
Format	3K 6 Million Pixels
Category	City, Monument

Informations

Andalusia, a vast autonomous community located in the south of Spain, is a land of contrasts, blended cultures, and unparalleled heritage richness.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast, it stretches from the golden beaches of the Costa del Sol to the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, passing through lush countryside, arid plateaus, and white villages clinging to hillsides.

Andalusia is the largest of Spain’s autonomous communities and also one of the most populous. It comprises eight provinces: Seville, Malaga, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Jaén, Almería, and Huelva. Each province has a distinct identity shaped by a rich past and diverse geography.

This region is the birthplace of many symbols of Spanish identity in the popular imagination, such as flamenco, bullfights, colorful fairs, and flower-filled patios. But Andalusia is more than these clichés: it is above all a historic crossroads where Roman, Visigothic, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures met and intertwined.

For nearly eight centuries, Andalusia was Al-Andalus, one of the most brilliant centers of the medieval Muslim world. This era left an indelible mark on art, architecture, agriculture, language, and sciences.

Gems like the Alhambra of Granada, the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, the Giralda of Seville, and the Alcázar of Jerez still bear witness to this flourishing period. These masterpieces, often UNESCO World Heritage sites, fascinate with their intricate ornamentation, play of light, irrigated gardens, and architectural harmony.

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, embodies the region’s essence: winding alleys, secret patios, fiery flamenco, and majestic monuments make it a living theater of the Andalusian soul. Granada, nestled at the foot of the mountains, enchants with its enchanting blend of Arab traditions and vibrant student life. Córdoba, the former capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, is a city of sober beauty where every stone tells a millennial story.

The Andalusian coastline, with its two maritime fronts, offers varied atmospheres: the Costa de la Luz (Cádiz and Huelva), still wild and luminous, popular among windsurfing enthusiasts; and the Costa del Sol (Malaga, Marbella, Nerja), a hotspot of seaside and international tourism.

The inland areas, more rural, are dotted with typical white villages (pueblos blancos) such as Ronda, Arcos de la Frontera, Mijas, and Vejer, perched on hills or nestled in valleys. These villages, with their whitewashed houses, cobbled streets, and flamboyant bougainvilleas, offer an authentic and picturesque face of Andalusia.

The region is also famous for its natural parks (such as Doñana National Park, a unique bird sanctuary in Europe, or the Sierra de Grazalema) and its spectacular landscapes: deserts (like Tabernas), cliffs, lagoons, mountains, gorges (like El Chorro and the Caminito del Rey), and pristine beaches.

Gastronomically, Andalusia is a land of generous flavors, influenced by its warm climate and abundant agricultural resources. Here you can enjoy gazpacho, salmorejo, a variety of tapas, jamón ibérico, seafood, exceptional olive oil, and of course, the renowned Jerez wine (Sherry), emblematic of the region.

The Andalusian climate is typically Mediterranean, with very hot summers especially inland (Seville, Córdoba), and mild winters, particularly along the coast. This climate encourages an outdoor lifestyle, where popular festivals and social gatherings hold a central place.

Modern Andalusia is a dynamic region, open to the world, offering diverse tourism options, exceptional heritage, a strong identity, and an elegant blend of tradition and modernity.

Discovering Andalusia means immersing yourself in a palette of emotions, colors, and scents — hearing the click of heels on a tablao stage, feeling the warmth of a sunset over the Alhambra, tasting a sun-aged wine, and above all, sensing the Andalusian soul in all its splendor.

La Giralda

La Giralda is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic monuments of Seville and a powerful symbol of all Andalusia.

Originally erected as the minaret of the great Almohad mosque at the end of the 12th century, it is today the majestic bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.

Construction of La Giralda began in 1184 under the reign of Caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf, when Seville was a flourishing city of the Islamic world. Its architecture directly draws inspiration from the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, but is distinguished by even more refined ornamentation.

Originally 76 meters tall, the minaret was designed to allow the call to prayer (adhan) to resonate throughout the city. Inside, there are no stairs but a wide, gently sloping ramp, enabling the muezzins to ride horses up to the summit. This ingenious system remains intact and accessible to visitors.

With the Christian Reconquest of Seville in 1248, the mosque was gradually converted into a cathedral. While the main building was demolished to make way for the Gothic cathedral, the minaret was preserved.

At the beginning of the 16th century, Spanish architects added a Renaissance section atop the tower: an elegant multi-tiered belfry crowned by a bronze statue called El Giraldillo, representing triumphant Faith. Standing 4 meters high and weighing over 1,000 kilos, this monumental weather vane gave the tower its name: La Giralda, “the one that turns.”

Today, La Giralda rises to 104 meters and dominates Seville’s skyline. It embodies the harmonious fusion between Islamic art and Christian architecture—a unique example of cultural syncretism specific to Andalusia.

The minaret’s façades are decorated with complex geometric patterns, interlaced lozenges, rounded arches, and ornate niches, remarkable testimonies of Almohad art.

Climbing La Giralda is an unmissable experience for any visitor to Seville. As you ascend the 35 inclined ramps, the city gradually reveals itself. From the summit, the panoramic view of the cathedral, the white rooftops of the old town, the Alcázar gardens, and the Guadalquivir River is simply breathtaking.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, together with the cathedral, Alcázar, and Archivo de Indias, La Giralda remains a universal masterpiece, admired as much for its beauty as for its historical significance.

It embodies not only the architectural genius of two civilizations—Islamic and Christian—but also the living memory of a cosmopolitan city open to the world, where Eastern and Western influences coexist.

La Giralda is not just a monument: it is a sentinel of time, a tower that tells the story of Seville through its stones, arches, and skies.

Séville

Presentation

Seville, the capital of Andalusia, embodies the very essence of southern Spain: dazzling light, passionate spirit, vibrant architecture, and enduring traditions. Nestled along the banks of the mythical Guadalquivir River that links it to the Atlantic Ocean, Seville is a city with a prestigious past, shaped by more than two millennia of history and a rich tapestry of civilizations.

According to legend, the city was founded by Hercules. Known in antiquity as Hispalis, Seville was first a Phoenician trading post, later a flourishing Roman city, and in the Middle Ages, a shining jewel of the Islamic world under the Umayyads and later the Almohads, until its Christian reconquest in 1248.

This historical blending is reflected in Seville’s exceptional architectural heritage: the Cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, was built atop the former Almohad mosque, retaining the minaret now transformed into the iconic bell tower, La Giralda.

Next door stands the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a magnificent palace blending Mudéjar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles — a masterpiece of Andalusian artistry.

Wandering through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, one finds a labyrinth of whitewashed alleyways, flower-filled patios, shaded squares, and wrought-iron balconies. This picturesque neighborhood distills the charm of Seville — a harmony of Mediterranean intimacy and Baroque grandeur.

To the west lies Triana, across the river, the birthplace of flamenco, Andalusian folk singing, and countless traditions. Vibrant and deeply rooted in its gypsy and artisan heritage, Triana is the beating heart of Seville’s cultural identity.

Seville also boasts grand public spaces. The Plaza de España, a sweeping semi-circular architectural marvel in Neo-Mudéjar style built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, is a breathtaking symbol of Spanish pride. Encircled by a canal and polychrome ceramic alcoves representing Spain’s provinces, it is both majestic and beloved by locals.

Adjacent to the plaza, the María Luisa Park is one of Spain’s most beautiful gardens, with palm-lined pathways, ornate fountains, orange trees, and hidden romantic corners perfect for a tranquil escape.

Modernity also finds its place in Seville through bold structures like the Metropol Parasol, nicknamed "the mushrooms", a vast wooden canopy in Plaza de la Encarnación, and the Alamillo Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava.

But above all, Seville is a city of passion and emotion. Each year, it pulses to the rhythm of two major festivals:
– Holy Week (Semana Santa), solemn and deeply spiritual, with powerful processions silently traversing the city’s historic core;
– The April Fair (Feria de Abril), a joyful explosion of color, music, flamenco dancing, and Andalusian culture, where locals gather in traditional dress in festive casetas.

Sevillian cuisine reflects the city’s warmth and generosity: from tapas served in lively bodegas to jamón ibérico, gazpacho andaluz, espinacas con garbanzos, and refreshing drinks like manzanilla sherry or tinto de verano, every meal becomes a celebration.

Seville is also a major university, economic, and tourist hub. Its Mediterranean climate — scorching in summer, mild in winter — attracts visitors year-round, as do its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

A city of art, tradition, spirituality, and celebration, Seville captivates the senses. Here, the past lives on through its architecture, the rhythm of flamenco, the scent of orange blossoms, and the warm, welcoming nature of its people.

In Seville, every street corner is a stage, every moment an emotion, every glance a story. It’s not just a city to visit — it’s a city to feel, to live, and to remember.