Curiosities of Seville: discover the secrets of the Seville city
Daniel 05/09/2023
Seville is a city that falls in love with its beauty, its history, its culture and its gastronomy. But in addition to its most famous monuments, such as the Cathedral, the Giralda, the Alcázar or the Plaza de España, Seville hides many secrets and curiosities that you may not know. Would you like to discover them? Then keep reading and be surprised by these five curiosities of Seville that will make you see the city with different eyes.
Seville was founded by Hercules
According to legend, Seville was founded around 3,000 years ago by the mythological hero Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Hercules would have reached the islet of Spal, located on some marshes, and would have built the first walls and temples of the city there. In fact, in the Plaza del Alameda de Hércules there are two Roman columns with the statues of the demigod and Julio César, who is considered the re-founder of Seville1.
The Guadalquivir river changed course
The Guadalquivir river is one of the symbols of Seville and a source of life and wealth for the city. However, its channel was not always the same. In Visigothic times, the river crossed the city from north to south, but the Visigoths decided to divert it to the west to avoid flooding and improve defense. For this reason, in some areas of what is now the mainland, remains of ancient boats have been found1.
Seville was the capital of the Almohad Empire
Seville has been an important city for many cultures, but especially for the Arabs, who ruled it for more than 500 years. In the 12th century, Seville became the capital of the Almohad Empire, which stretched from eastern Spain to present-day Libya. The Almohads left a great architectural legacy in Seville, such as the Giralda, the Torre del Oro or the Patio de los Naranjos1.
Seville had the most important commercial port in Europe
After the discovery of America in 1492, Seville became the exclusive port for trade with the New World. All the goods and wealth that came from the Spanish colonies passed through its port. This made Seville the most prosperous and cosmopolitan city in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. To manage this trade, the Casa de Contratación and the Archive of the Indies were created, where historical documents of great value are preserved2.
Seville has some underground passageways
One of the most mysterious curiosities of Seville is the existence of underground passageways that connect different parts of the city. These tunnels are believed to have been built by the Arabs or the Templars for military or religious purposes. Some of these passageways have been discovered under the Cathedral, the Alcázar or the Santa Cruz neighborhood, but their extension and final destination are unknown.
As you can see, Seville has a lot to offer its visitors, both at a monumental level and at a curious level. If you want to stay in a central, comfortable and charming hotel, we recommend the Hotel Cervantes, a four-star establishment located in a typical 19th-century Sevillian house. From here you can easily access all the places that we have mentioned and discover many other secrets of the city of Seville. Don't think about it anymore and book your room now!
Seville was founded by Hercules
According to legend, Seville was founded around 3,000 years ago by the mythological hero Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene. Hercules would have reached the islet of Spal, located on some marshes, and would have built the first walls and temples of the city there. In fact, in the Plaza del Alameda de Hércules there are two Roman columns with the statues of the demigod and Julio César, who is considered the re-founder of Seville1.
The Guadalquivir river changed course
The Guadalquivir river is one of the symbols of Seville and a source of life and wealth for the city. However, its channel was not always the same. In Visigothic times, the river crossed the city from north to south, but the Visigoths decided to divert it to the west to avoid flooding and improve defense. For this reason, in some areas of what is now the mainland, remains of ancient boats have been found1.
Seville was the capital of the Almohad Empire
Seville has been an important city for many cultures, but especially for the Arabs, who ruled it for more than 500 years. In the 12th century, Seville became the capital of the Almohad Empire, which stretched from eastern Spain to present-day Libya. The Almohads left a great architectural legacy in Seville, such as the Giralda, the Torre del Oro or the Patio de los Naranjos1.
Seville had the most important commercial port in Europe
After the discovery of America in 1492, Seville became the exclusive port for trade with the New World. All the goods and wealth that came from the Spanish colonies passed through its port. This made Seville the most prosperous and cosmopolitan city in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. To manage this trade, the Casa de Contratación and the Archive of the Indies were created, where historical documents of great value are preserved2.
Seville has some underground passageways
One of the most mysterious curiosities of Seville is the existence of underground passageways that connect different parts of the city. These tunnels are believed to have been built by the Arabs or the Templars for military or religious purposes. Some of these passageways have been discovered under the Cathedral, the Alcázar or the Santa Cruz neighborhood, but their extension and final destination are unknown.
As you can see, Seville has a lot to offer its visitors, both at a monumental level and at a curious level. If you want to stay in a central, comfortable and charming hotel, we recommend the Hotel Cervantes, a four-star establishment located in a typical 19th-century Sevillian house. From here you can easily access all the places that we have mentioned and discover many other secrets of the city of Seville. Don't think about it anymore and book your room now!
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