Seville

From Wikinfo

[[fr:S�ville]]

Seville (Spanish: Sevilla) is a large city in southern Spain, crossed by the river Guadalquivir. It is the capital of Andalusia and of the province of Sevilla. The inhabitants of the city are known as Sevillanos. The population is about 700,000 people.

Seville's "Giralda"

History

Legend has it that it was founded by the equally legendary Greek hero, Hercules. It was named Hispalis under the Romans. The influence of 800 years of Moorish occupation and their architecture predominates.

The city was long an important sea port. Much of the Spanish Empire s treasures from the New World came to Europe in Seville.

It was the home of Expo 92. The showpiece bridge across the Guadalquivir was designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava.

Seville is known for its hot summer weather.

Sights

The city's great Cathedral was built from 1401 - 1519 after the Reconquista on the former site of the city's mosque. The interior is lavishly decorated, with a large quantity of gold evident. The Cathedral reused some columns and elements from the old mosque, and most famously the Giralda, originally a minaret, was converted into a bell tower. It is topped with a statue representing Faith. The Giralda is the city's most famous symbol.

The Alcazar is the city's old Moorish Palace; construction was begun in 1181. Additional construction continued for over 500 years.

The Parque Maria Louisa was built for the 1929 [[Exposici�n Ibero- Americana]] World's Fair, and now is landscaped with attractive monuments and museums.