Spain is a country known for its beaches, its culture and its fiestas. The coastal towns and resorts offer visitors kilometers of sandy beaches and the ancient cities are filled with monuments and museums.
One of the most visited cities is Seville. Located in the southern region of Andalucía, this city on the banks of the Guadalquivir river is known for its grand Cathedral. The Cathedral, built at the start of the XVIth century, is lit up at night. The interior is decorated with murals, paintings and statues of the Saints and the Virgin Mary. The remains of Christopher Columbus are buried there. The Cathedral’s gardens are lined with orange trees.
The Feria de Abril is the city’s main fair, celebrated two weeks after Holy Week. During the Feria, people from all over Spain book hotels in the city in order to enjoy the atmosphere. The city fills with casetas, small private marquee tents where the locals enjoy tapas and jerez, many of them dressed in traditional costumes.
For a break from the culture visitors can visit Isla Mágica, the largest theme park in the area. There is a 4D cinema, live shows and many roller coasters.
Walking sightseeing tours around the city center are a typical activity in Seville, and visitors can enjoy tours in a traditional carriage pulled by horses. Visitors can take a walk around the Maria Luisa Park, a park built on the grounds of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The park stretches along the Guadalquivir river and is decorated with fountains and coloured tiles. There are ducks and swans in the ponds and lakes, and the walks are lined with flower beds and orange trees.
The Plaza de España is a large square located in the park in front of a building of the same name. The Plaza de España building is one of the city’s largest and most recognized landmarks. Its two towers, the North and South towers, can be seen all over the city.
The square and the historical buildings on the square are built in a Renaissance Revival style with elements of Art Deco and Moorish architecture. Many of the ancient mansions have been converted into museums, one of them being the Museum of Archaeology. The ancient Mudejar Pavilion, which stands near the river, has now been converted into the Museum of Arts and Traditions of Seville.
The walk by the canal is decorated with 48 alcoves, where each alcove represents one of Spain’s provinces, with painted tiles showing the map of the province. The canal that runs in front of the Plaza de España is crossed by four bridges. Small boats can be rented for those who want to row along the canal.
