The largest Gothic temple in the world
Also known as the Cathedral of St. Mary of the See, it is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third Christian temple after St. Peter’s in Rome and St. Paul’s in London. Since the conquest of the city, on November 23, 1248, the building of the aljama, or the Almohad Mosque, was converted into the cathedral of the archdiocese of the Kingdom of Seville.
The construction changed the liturgical orientation of the mosque, which was towards the south, for the Christian orientation towards the east, placing the Main Chapel on the east side. With the passage of time, the walls, facades and pillars were covered with altarpieces and paintings. At the end of the fourteenth century, the mosque was badly damaged, at risk of ruin. The cathedral Cabildo decided to demolish the Almohade building to build a Christian cathedral. Its construction was carried out in several phases over more than 500 years, resulting in a mixture of several architectural styles that provide its special beauty.
Addicional info
Opening hours
Monday: Tickets: 11:00 -15:30. Tuesday -Saturday: Tickets: 11:00 – 17:00. Sunday: Tickets: 14:30 – 18:00.
Price
Entry: adults: 9 € (includes visit to Divino Salvador)/reduced entry 4€ (students <26 years old, retirees).
Free to natives or residents of Seville and the province, the unemployed, disabled and a companion <16 years of age, authorized groups.
Audio guide: 3€. Free: Mondays 16:30 – 18:00 h
The most emblematic monument in the city
The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral. It its day, it was the tallest tower in the world, standing at 97.5 m in height, in addition to being one of the most famous images of the city and Andalusia. The tower consists of two different but perfectly unified pieces, a perfect example of the crucible of cultures existing in the city.
The Muslim body is the oldest part, started in 1184 by order of Abu Yaqub Yusuf to be the minaret of the Almohad mosque of Seville. A curious fact, the Giralda does not have stairs, but instead has 35 ramps wide enough to allow the Sultan to ascend mounted on horseback to see the beautiful view.
In the 17th century, the current Christian part, the bell tower that tops the tower, was added by the architect Hernán Ruiz. The top of the tower is the “Lily section” which has four jars of bronze lilies, one on each corner. And above this, there is still another section in a more Renaissance style. On December 29, 1928, it was declared a National Heritage site, added to the list of Heritage of Humanity sites.
Addicional info
Opening hours
01/09 – 30/06: Monday: 11:00 – 15:30. Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 – 17:00. Sunday: 14:30 – 18:00. 01/07 -31/08: Monday: 9:30 h – 15:30. Tuesday – Saturday: 9:30 – 16:00. Sunday: 14:30 – 18:00. Ask for Holiday schedules.
Price
Adults: 8 € (includes visit to the Church of Salvador). Entry tickets can also be purchased at the Salvador.
Reduced price: 3€ (students <26 years old, retirees). Free for natives and residents of Seville and the province, the unemployed, disabled, and a companion, <16 years of age, accompanied, and authorized groups.
Free Mondays from 16:30 – 18:00.
The Real Alcázar: An ensemble of palaces
The Alcázar of Seville has always been used as lodging for kings and important personalities. It is made up of different buildings from different eras. The original fortification was built on an old Roman, later used by the Visogoths. Later is became a Paleochristian basilica (San Vicente Mártir), where San Isidro (Saint Isodore) was buried. The Real Alcázar of Seville began to take on its present appearance after the Arabs took over the city in the year 713. One of the palaces that surrounds two courtyards is of the same era as the Alhambra of Granada. To carry out the work, important craftsmen were sent by the Nasrid King Mohamed V. After the reconquest of the city, in 1248, the “Reales Alcázares” were of the successive monarchs. Alfonso X the Wise made the first reforms, creating three large Gothic salons. Pedro I later decided to build the wonderful Mudéjar Palace.
Strolling through the Alcázar Gardens can be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your visit. They are arranged in terraces, with green vegetation, a multitude of orange and palm trees, with fountains and pavilions where you can breathe the freshness and stillness; a place for calm and rest in the hot city. The Jardines del Príncipe (the Prince’s Gardens) are especially notable, with the Fountain of Neptune, and the Jardines del Naranjal (Naranjal’s Gardens), with the fountain of the Lion, and the Pavilion of Carlos V, where King Fernando III died. The rest of the gardens are more modern, and in them, we can find the shield and name of King Alfonso XIII.
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Real Alcázar has also been the scene of several productions, such as The Kingdom of Heaven, Alatriste or Game of Thrones.
Opening hours
01/10-31/03: Monday – Sunday and Holidays: 9:30-17:00. 01/04 – 30/09: Monday – Sunday and Holidays: 9:30-19:00.
Price
Info: www.alcazarsevilla.org
Splendour of the Baroque
The Salvador is a religious temple for Roman Catholic worship under the patronage of Our Lord San Salvador, located in the Plaza del Salvador in Seville and is the largest church in the city, after the Cathedral. Deprived of its parish ranking after the latest restoration work, it currently functions as an exempt church, within the parish jurisdiction of San Isidro. In its patio, you can see glimmers of the Roman and Visigothic eras.
The building was erected on the remains of the Ibn Adabba, the Great Mosque of Muslim Seville (ninth century). This religious temple, as well as its surroundings, had great importance in the daily life of the people, which is why when the Christians conquered Seville, they allowed it to be used as a mosque in the beginning, but in 1340, it was converted into the parish of Salvador. In addition, it was agreed to maintain the ostentatious rank of the second temple of the city; for it was granted a collegiate character. Thus, this building would continue to be used religiously until 1671, when the passage of time left it strongly deteriorated. Its construction as we see it today began in 1674 with the architect Esteban García. Work ended in 1712 under the architect Leonardo de Figueroa. Later it would again be restored with work ending in early 2008, returning the temple to all its splendor.
More information
Monday – Saturday: 11:00 – 18:00.
Sunday: 15:00 – 19:00.
Hours of worship: 19:30 – 21:00.
July – August: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00. Sunday: 15:00 – 19:00. Hours of worship: 19:30 – 21:00.
Price
4€. Free for residents of Seville, the disabled, unemployed and those under 14 years of age (accompanied).
8€ for joint visit to Cathedral.
Audio guide: 2.50 €