Information about Seville

Monuments - Restaurants - Additional Information

Join us in Sevilla, 18th IACM Conference, June 12 – 15, 2005!

We are planning a great time at the conference this year and want you to be with us! Come early or stay late, there is lots to see and do! We want you to enjoy the city, the food, and the wonderfully warm people of Andalucía.

Sevilla is easy to visit… you can spend the day walking from fascinating site to fascinating site, truly being surprised at the turn of every corner of narrow cobble stone streets. Ancient fountains, fragrant gardens, and lovely parks abound, and foundations laid by Romans thousands of years ago still support the town. Later buildings bear proud witness to the cultures that wove their rich traditions and legacies to form the present fabric of Andalucían society. Arab Mudejar and Mozarab architecture is everywhere, and the winding tiny streets of Jewish secter of Barrio Santa Cruz lead to lively tapas bars to hop until morning. Don´t worry, some serve breakfast, too!

One of the best things about Sevilla is that you can walk comfortably everywhere in town. Within less than a mile you can visit the cathedral, the Alcazar arab palace and its manicured gardens, the stunning Plaza de España, the Parque Maria Luisa (a great place to run), the Casa Pilatos, and lots of other must-see sites. Be sure to pack good walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen for a good time. Take along a sweater for evenings, although you probably won´t need it.

The archaeological museum (in the Parque Maria Luisa) holds a large and important collection dating from the prehistoric through the roman ages, including many entire mosaic floors, statues and architectural elements from the Roman city of Itálica, once the seat of the Roman Empire. The large ruins of Itálica include a large amphitheather and a large round forum, both of stone and remarkably restored. This is just 15 minutes away from the hotel! Bars and cafes are nestled into every block and street corner, so you can easily get refreshments in town. Itálica, however, is on a hill overlooking Sevilla on the outskirts of town so you might want to pack a water bottle if you visit on a warm day. Talking about food…dinners are later here, ours will be around 8:30, so enjoy some tapas to tide you over!

The hotel, which has a luxurious swimming pool, squash courts and a 18 hole golf course, is located in the peaceful outskirts of Sevilla. The meeting facilities are across the road in a large restored hacienda that now houses a sparkly new business school. A free hotel shuttle runs back and forth to the ancient city center hourly. There is a large hypermarket within walking distance that sells everything from food to clothes to electronics and handicrafts. For those folks from the U.S., remember you can´t take back the delicious cured meats like jamón serrano and the chorizos (shucks!)...but the cheeses will pass the USDA. in customs. Check the website for lots of other good info, including more on local sites, food, and travel to and from the airport. Also check the site for the link to the national government-sponsored elegant hotels called Paradores, the one in Carmona is 30 minutes away and beautiful, the one in Ronda hangs over an unbelievable 100 meter deep crack in the earth that spills into rolling hills of cork and olive orchards.….many of these are restored castles, monasteries, forts, and other ancient buildings whose walls seep with age and stories…like Sevilla itself…..come join us!

For more information, check out the links at the bottom of this page.

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MONUMENTS

The Cathedral
Avenida de la Constitución, Sevilla.
34 95 421 49 71.
Mon-Sat 11:00-17:00; Sun 14:00-18:00.
Adults: € 6.00; Sunday free entrance.

The Cathedral of Seville was built in the 15th and 16th century in Gothic style on the grounds of the former major Arab mosque. It is the largest place of worship in Spain, and the third largest cathedral in the Christian world.

Enter the building from Alemanes street through the Puerta del Perdón into the Patio de los Naranjos. You will find there a PILA of the 5th century BC. Then climb up to the Giralda tower, which was the minaret of the 12th century Moslem mosque. Its Christian bell fry was added by Hernán Ruiz in 1568. From there you can oversee large parts of Seville:

To the North see the Plaza de Franciso with the Town Hall, Salvador church and the Cartuja peninsula of the Expo1992 with the Alamillo and Barqueta bridges. To the East you will see Mateos Gago street leading into the Santa Cruz quarter. To the South, the Alcazar is to your left, the Indian archive to your right, and the Maria Luisa park with the towers of the Plaza de España in the background. To the West, there is the Bullring and Isabel II bridge, which leads to the Triana quarter.

Then go down and visit the huge Interior of the Cathedral. It contains a large collection of artwork: paintings of Murillo and Zurbarán, goldsmithery of Juan de Arfe, amongst others. On the way out you pass the supposed Tomb of Christopher Columbus.

Real Alcazar (We will visit the Real Alcazar during the optional Monday evening outing)
Plaza del Triunfo, Sevilla.
34 95 450 23 23.
Tue-Sat 9:30-19:00; Sun 9:30-17:00.
Adults: € 6.00 + € 4.00 (First Floor); Students, Handicapped, Over 65, Under 16: free entrance.

The Christian monarchs, Alfonso X and Pedro I employed Moorish craftsmen to build the Real Alcazar of Seville in the 14th century. The Palace of Pedro I is considered to be the most complete example of this so-called Mudéjar architecture in Spain. However, a few remains still lie from the former Islamic palace, Patio del Yeso, from before the Christian Reconquest.

Enter through the Puerta del León into the Patio de la Montería, which derived its name from the scouts (monteros), who accompanied the king in its hunting parties. Passing through the vast galleries and halls decorated in tiles and Mudéjar ceilings you reach the Patio de las Doncellas, which is the main courtyard. The Hall of the Kings, the Hall of Charles V and the Hall of the Embassadors all open to this patio. The latter is the most important room in the Alcazar. It is covered in metal mirrors which reflect the light of the whole hall.
The tour ends with a visit to the Gardens, in which a curious blend of different gardening styles (Arab, French and Renaissance style) can be admired.

The Torre del Oro
Paseo de Christobal Colon, Sevilla.
34 95 422 24 19.
Tue-Fri 10:00-14:00; Sat-Sun 11:00-14:00.
€ 1.00; Tuesday free entrance.

The Torre del Oro of Seville was built in the early 13th century by the Almohades. The building was of military purpose and was located outside the walled defences. It was used to control the entrance of Seville's harbour by means of an iron chain, which spanned to the other shore of the river.

Probably a cover of golden tiles gave it the name of Golden Tower. Today, the tower houses a small  Naval Museum, which displays a collection of maps and antiques related to the naval history of Seville. From upstairs you have a nice view on the Río Guadalquivir and Isabel II bridge.

The Casa de Pilatos
Plaza de Pilatos, Sevilla.
34 95 422 52 98.
Mon-Sun 9:00-19:00.
€ 3.00 (Ground Floor) + € 3.00 (First Floor); Thursday 13:00-17:00 free entrance for EU citizens.

The Casa de Pilatos is located next to the Plaza de Pilatos. The building is mainly from the 16th century and a mixture of Italian Renaissance and Spanish Mudéjar style. It is regarded as a "prototype" of an Andalusian palace.
Once the owner of the building, the Marquis of Tarifa, came back from a journey to Jerusalem, he made some reforms on his palace. Since then, the building was commonly called the "House of Pilate".
Today it is the residence of the dukes of Medinaceli.

Enter through its large Marble Portal, which was carried out in 1529 by the Italian artist Antonio Aprile.
Across the arcaded Apeadero (carriage yard), find the Main Patio, decorated with sculptures of Roman emperors and statues of the Greek mythology.The Main Patio opens to two lovely Gardens. A tiled stairway leads to the apartments on the upper floor.

Plaza de España / Maria Luisa Park
Parque de María Luisa, Sevilla.

Major parts of the grounds of María Luisa park were donated in 1893 to the city of Seville by the Dutchess of Montpensier to be used as a public park. Beginning in 1911, the French gardener Jean-Claude Forestier remodeled the already existing gardens into their actual shapes.

In 1914, the Spanish architect Aníbal Gonzalez started with the construction works for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, which partly took place inside María Luisa park. The new buildings of the Plaza de España were used as the office of the fair.

The semicircular square of the Plaza de España, has an artificial lake in its center and is flanked by two towers. Gonzalez chose bricks as the main material to be used, in combination with tiles and marble columns. The building's style today is called Sevillian Regionalism.

María Luisa park is Seville's principal green area. See the Jardín de los Leones and the Isleta de los Patos.
On the main square of the 1929 fair, the Plaza de America, where the Pavilion of Fine Arts was located, serves today as the Archaeological Museum of Seville.

The Cartusian Monastery of Santa María de las Cuevas
Isla de la Cartuja s/n, Sevilla.
34 95 503 70 96.
Tue-Sat 10:00-20:00; Sun 10:00-15:00.
€ 2.00; Tuesday free entrance for EU citizens.

The Cartusian monastery of Santa María de las Cuevas is situated on the right bank of the Guadalquivir river. Due to the abundance of clay, numerous pottery kilns were installed during the Almohad dynasty of the 12th century. On these grounds a Cartusian monastery was built in the 15th century with the name of Santa María de las Cuevas (Caves).

In 1810, during the invasion of Napoleon's troops, the monks were driven out of the monastery and it was taken over by the French soldiers as the military barracks. Abandoned and damaged, the monastery was bought in 1839 by the English merchant, Charles Pickman, who would set up an earthenware and porcelain factory in 1841. Numerous Chimney stacks and Kilns were constructed, five of which still remain to thence determine the aesthetic characteristics of the monastery. The factory continued active at the site up till 1982.
Today the Cartuja hosts the Museum of Contemporary Andalusian Art.

Coming from the center of Seville, pass over Pasarela bridge and enter from the backside of the building through the Main Entrance. Christopher Columbus lived in the Cartuja monastery for several years. This fact influenced the decision, that the Cartuja peninsula would be the site of the 1992 World Exhibition Expo '92.

Hospital de la Caridad
c/ Temprado 3, Sevilla.
34 95 422 32 32.
Mon-Sat 9:00-13:30 + 15:30-18:30; Sun 9:00-13:00.
€ 2.50; Sunday free entrance for Spanish nationals.

The Hospital de la Caridad of Seville was built in the 17th century. It is organized around a double Patio divided by arches.

The façade of the hospital's San Jorge church provides an outstanding example of Sevillian Baroque. See the front gates and the bell fry, both of the 17th century. The hospital´s façade was designed by Leonardo de Figueroa. Its tiles were produced in Seville´s Triana quarter according to drawings of Murillo.

The church´s Interior is richly decorated with famous artwork:
- Frescos of Valdés Leal in the ceiling of the church
- retablo mayor (1670-1674) of Bernardo Simón de Pineda with sculptures of Pedro Roldán
- paintings and a painted cross near the retablo mayor by Murillo (1671-1673)
- paintings "Finis gloriae mundi" and "In Ictu Oculi" by Juan de Valdés Leal (1671-1672).

According to the the intentions of its founder Miguel de Mañara, the Hospital de la Caridad, which means Charity, was and is still used today as a retreat for poor and elderly people.

The Tobacco Factory (University)
c/ San Fernando, Sevilla.
34 95 455 10 00.
Mon-Fri 8:00-20:30.
No Admission charge.

The Tobacco Factory of Seville was constructed between 1728 and 1771 by Sebastián Van der Bocht. Over the main entrance, the triangular facade ends in a statue of La Fama (fame).

The tobacco factory was then the largest industrial building in Spain. A monopoly assured high income, which is reflected in the factory's architecture and surrounding Gardens. Its chapel and prison complement the main building. In the interior you find impressive stairways, fountains and Patios.
In 1953 the factory was converted into the main building of Seville University.

Just behind the tobacco factory, the María Luisa park borders the historic center of Seville to the south.

Macarena basilica
c/ Bécquer 1, Sevilla.
34 95 437 01 95.
Mon-Sun 9:00-13:00 + 17:00-21:00.
No Admission charge (Museum: € 3.00).

Macarena basilica is a modern church, built between 1936 and 1941 by architect Gómez Millán in Neo-Baroque style. It is located near the Puerta de la Macarena , which was the entrance of the Defensive Walls to the Macarena quarter of Seville.

The church gets its importance to Seville from the Virgen de la Esperanza Macarena sculpture (attributed to La Roldana end of the 17th century), which stands in the center of Sevillian Marian worship.
Get an idea of this Virgin cult in the church's museum, where her jewels and Semana Santa floats are displayed.

Continue the tour to the church, which gives its name to the main street in Macarena quarter: San Luis

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RESTAURANTS

Restaurant	Food	Address	Telephone
La Albahaca	Lunch & Dinner Spanish / Basque cuisine closed Sundays c.c.'s accepted	Plaza de Santa Cruz, 12 Sevilla	954 220 714
Bogegón Torre del Oro	Lunch & Dinner Tapas and Spanish cuisine c.c.'s accepted	Calle Santander, 15 Sevilla	954 220 880
Casa Robles	Lunch & Dinner Andalucían cuisine specializing in fish c.c.'s accepted	Calle Alvarez Quintero, 58 Sevilla	954 563 272
Egaña Oriza	Lunch & Dinner Spanish / Basque menu closed Saturday lunch & Sundays c.c.'s accepted	Calle San Fernando, 41 Sevilla	954 227 211
La Isla	Lunch & Dinner Specializes in high quality fish & seafood closed Mondays and August c.c.'s accepted	Calle Arfe, 25 Sevilla	954 212 631
Jamón Real	Lunch & Dinner Tapas & Specialities from Extramadura closed Tuesdays Visa & M.Card	Calle Pastor and Landero, 20 Sevilla
La Judería	Lunch & Dinner Andalucían cuisine c.c.'s accepted	Calle Cano y Cueto, 13 Sevilla	954 412 052
Kiosco de las Flores	Lunch & Dinner Specializes in Fish closed Sunday evenings & Mondays Visa & Master Card accepted	Plaza Altozano Del, s/n Sevilla	954 333 898
Las Meninas	Lunch only Andalucían menu, good value hearty meals c.c.'s accepted	Calle Santo Tomás, 3 Sevilla	954 226 226
Mesón Casa Luciano	Lunch & Dinner Spanish menu specializing in charcoal grilled meats c.c's accepted	Calle Paraiso, 3 Sevilla	954 273 759
Mesón Don Raimundo	Lunch & Dinner Traditional Andalucían menu c.c's accepted Restaurant set in 17th century converted convent in Santa Cruz area	Calle Argote de Molina, 26 Sevilla	954 223 355
Restaurante Porta Rosa	Lunch & Dinner Italian cuisine closed Sunday evenings & Mondays c.c's accepted	Calle Pastor y Landero, 20 Sevilla	954 216 139
Río Grande	Lunch & Dinner Andalucían menu c.c's accepted Popular with tourists due to location	Calle Betis Sevilla	954 278 371
Restaurante San Marcos	Lunch & Dinner Italian & International cuisine c.c's accepted	Calle Cuna, 6 Sevilla	954 212 440

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In and around Seville, there are many sights to see and activities to do. Just check out the links below:

• http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla.htm
• http://www.aboutsevilla.com
• http://www.turismosevilla.org/ing-index.html
• http://www.red2000.com/spain/cordoba/
• The Mesquita in Cordoba
• Alcazar Palace

Links to travel pre/post-conference:

• http://www.parador.es/english/index.jsp
• http://www.andalusia-web.com/index.htm

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