Plaza de Espana (Spain Square), Seville (must see)
Some say Seville was founded by Hercules. Hercules could not be reached for verification. Waves of Carthaginians, Romans, Goths, Vandals, and Moors have seen Seville since Hercules. None of them have seen the Spain Square.
The square is situated at the edge of Maria Louisa Park, Seville's largest green area. In 1914 Anibal Gonzales, architect, began work in preparation for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Using the styles of Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival and Neo-Mudejar, Anibal created the Spain Square.
The square is embraced by a semi-circle of exotic buildings and towers bordering a moat. The moat encloses a vast open space. In the center of the space is the Vicente Traver fountain. The buildings are reached by four bridges that stretch over the moat. Take a boat ride in the moat and view the square around you. It's like floating in a dream.
The four bridges represent Castile, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre, the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. Around the edges of the square are 52 niches or alcoves. Each is a tiny pavilion of colorful azulejo tiles, depicting a province of Spain. Each alcove has shelves used as a lending library, offering books on the provinces.
The Ibero-American Exposition was meant to show a reconciliation between Spain and her former American colonies and territories. There was a great need to build a modern state and reestablish economic and cultural ties to the New World. The square holds this vision of a glorious past and a promising future, embracing it in the heart of Spain.
Why you should visit:
To experience the soul and grandeur of this city.
The square is situated at the edge of Maria Louisa Park, Seville's largest green area. In 1914 Anibal Gonzales, architect, began work in preparation for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. Using the styles of Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance Revival, Spanish Baroque Revival and Neo-Mudejar, Anibal created the Spain Square.
The square is embraced by a semi-circle of exotic buildings and towers bordering a moat. The moat encloses a vast open space. In the center of the space is the Vicente Traver fountain. The buildings are reached by four bridges that stretch over the moat. Take a boat ride in the moat and view the square around you. It's like floating in a dream.
The four bridges represent Castile, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre, the four ancient kingdoms of Spain. Around the edges of the square are 52 niches or alcoves. Each is a tiny pavilion of colorful azulejo tiles, depicting a province of Spain. Each alcove has shelves used as a lending library, offering books on the provinces.
The Ibero-American Exposition was meant to show a reconciliation between Spain and her former American colonies and territories. There was a great need to build a modern state and reestablish economic and cultural ties to the New World. The square holds this vision of a glorious past and a promising future, embracing it in the heart of Spain.
Why you should visit:
To experience the soul and grandeur of this city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seville. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Plaza de Espana (Spain Square) on Map
Sight Name: Plaza de Espana (Spain Square)
Sight Location: Seville, Spain (See walking tours in Seville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Seville, Spain (See walking tours in Seville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Seville, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Seville
Creating your own self-guided walk in Seville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Flamenco Walking Tour
They say if it's Flamenco 鈥� it's Andalusia, and if it's Andalusia 鈥� it's all about Seville. Indeed, with its roots deeply embedded in the Andalusian culture, Seville is a prime destination for experiencing the essence of Flamenco and is largely considered to be the home of this fiery dance.
Flamenco sites are found all over the city 鈥� in bars, theaters, or specialized... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Flamenco sites are found all over the city 鈥� in bars, theaters, or specialized... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Seville Introduction Walking Tour
Seville is the largest city and provincial capital of Andalusia. It is in the southwest of Spain, on the banks of the Guadalquivir. Ancient tradition holds that Seville was founded by Hercules. It was called Hisbaal by Phoenician colonizers for the god Baal. The Romans latinized the name, calling it Hispalis.
In the year 711 CE the city was brought under Muslim rule and renamed Ishbiliyah. It... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
In the year 711 CE the city was brought under Muslim rule and renamed Ishbiliyah. It... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Old Seville Walking Tour
Seville's varied history has left behind a great deal of heritage, much of which is seen in the Old Town, the largest in Europe. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the former Jewish quarter of Seville, and one of the famous districts here. From 1248 to 1492, it had been inhabited by the largest Jewish community in Spain 鈥� eventually driven out, leaving this beautiful neighborhood forlorn.
Today the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Today the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy in Seville
Immortalized by Gioachino Rossini in his famous The Barber of Seville opera, the city of Seville is a major historic and cultural sight adorning the face of modern Spain. Much of the city's character is reflected in the locally-made products that can make for a great gift or trip memento...