Seville is the main city of one of the most wonderful provinces of Spain, Andaluzia. For a very long time, from VIII to XIII century it was under the Arabs, which contributed to emergence of the most beautiful architectural style. In XIII century Spain took back the city, and already in XVI century, just after opening America, it obtained the right of monopoly trade with the New World. And needless to say that the privilege made it one of the richest and most prosperous cities of the time.
So variegated history made Seville one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. Its Old Town, located on the right side of the Guadalquivir, amazes by fine Arab buildings and magnificent structures of Catholic period.
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Spanish: Catedral de Santa María de la Sede), better known as Seville Cathedral, is the largest Gothic temple and the third-largest church in the world, after St. Peter`s Basilica of Rome and London`s St. Paul Cathedral. The temple was built on the site of a former mosque, which was larger than the cathedral. There remained only a minaret, which was later converted into a bell tower. The bell tower is called Giralda (weather-cock), as the sculpture of ‘Faith’ placed atop the structure is turned with the wind.
Near the cathedral there located Alcazar Castle, former residence of Spanish kings, built by Pedro I in XIV century. There was an old Arab castle on the site, but Spanish monarch had it considerably rebuilt. In Arab times there was planted a wonderful garden in the courtyard of Alcazar.
Seville has a very beautiful embankment. There located the famous Golden Tower, which remained from the old walls. Golden Tower dates back to 1220. It was just there that the ships from America were unloaded.
In the environs of Seville there are some interesting sights where you can make a short, one-day trip. Firstly, it is a small town Ronda south of Seville. It is located on the edge of deep ravine, which you can admire from the famous bridge. Also, you should go to Doniana National Park. It is located downstream of the Guadalquivir where it falls into the Atlantic Ocean. There you can see beautiful sandy dunes, picturesque shrubbery, and waterlogged lands. There dwell over 300 bird species, including herons, flamingoes, and golden eagles, etc.
