This is a nice 4 star hotel situated very near the town centre, right alongside the guadalquivir river.
I have to say that this hotel is very cosy and the staff are extremely well trained. giving on the feeling of really being away on vacation. The food is quite good and is and the service is excellent.
I must worn you that finding this hotel was quite difficult because it does not look like a hotel but a beautiful building. The entrance to the hotel is rather small and on may miss it. The rooms are very well decorated and the bathrooms are all marble. At the entrance of the hotel there is a pretty indoor patio where one can enjoy a little Peace and quiet.
It also has a charming pool on the roof of the hotel which helps gives you both morning and afternoon sun in order.
I would recommend this hotel to many and I must add that the prices to the hotels are very reasonable.
Today the “Torre del Oro” (Golden tower) is a naval museum, containing engravings, letters, models, instruments, and historic documents. The museum outlines the naval history of Seville and the importance of its river.
This Tower was named the “Torre Del Oro” in 1248 when it was givin to an Italian named Nicoloso de la Torre Del Oro.
During the Almohad Dynasty in the13th Century.The “Torre Del Oro” was built as part of a defense mechanism running from the Alcázar to the Gualdalquivir River. It was then modified with a tower by Sebastian Van der Borcht in 1760. This tower was built in order to control the access to the city via the “Gualdalquivir River”. The tower has twelve sides, in order to prevent enemy ships from traveling to the port of seville the “Torre del Oro” has chains that stretch from beneath the water at the foot of the tower. However in 1248 the Castilian navel army broke through and helped Ferdinand III to conquer Seville. The ships were commanded by Ramón de Bonifaz. During the middle ages The “Torre Del Oro” also served as a prison at a time when metals were brought from the Indies.
There is also a twin to this Tower called “Torre del Plata” ( The Tower of Silver) which was also built in the 13th Century and was recovers in 1992, where it was resored o join its mate “Torre Del Oro” .
The Spain Square of Seville deserves a special attention by its great value of architecture and multitude of details.
Built in 1929 by Anibal Gonzalez for the Iberian American exposition, this building represents the regional architecture of Seville. Formed in a semicircle with 200 meters in diameter it represents the embracing of Spain and all Spain’s former colonies. It faces the river as if opening the way to the Americas. Its main decoration is of brick, marble and ceramic and a major fountain in the centre, this gives the building a Renaissance and baroque appearance. This building was the most expensive part of the exposition.
The plaza is surrounded by the canal crossing the 4 bridges which represent the 4 kingdoms of Spain. The walls are individually marked with mosaics, maps and symbols representing the 48 provinces of Spain. All showing historical maps of the areas every city and historical events, art, books etc…
The exposition was also attended by the king Alfonso XIII in the inauguration of the building. In reality the building accommodates the delegation of the central government of Andalusia and the captainship of the general military of the southern region.
The plaza de España was used in one of the scenes of STAR WARS (by George Lucas) episode II “The attack of the Clones” (2002).
Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen), and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman) promanade accompanied by R2 – D2 in one of the romantic scenes of the movie.
The Plaza de España is considered one of Spain’s most spectacular architectural buildings.
The National Park of Donana is the largest aviary reserve in Europe. Located on the right hand bank of the river's mouth; due to the good climatic conditions and geographic location it is the perfect spot for bird watching as it is on the bird migration route.
It is about an hour drive along the "Autovia de los Descubrimientos"(motorway of discovery) in the "Huelva" direction
The biological reserve of the natural park of Aracena Sierra and the Aroche peaks are located in the Sierra Morena in the western end. Consisting of a thick forest of chestnut oak and cork trees, a great place for climbing and hiking, with fantastic mountain villages such as Alajar, Castaño del Robledo and Aracena, with its castle and Grotto of Marvels, as well as near by lakes such as Aracena and Zufre with water sports and fishing equipment available.
This is a great little spot hidden away from reality where you can enjoy the country side and maybe a picnic or two.
This building was built in the 17th Century, formally a convent; its design is accredited to Juan de Oviedo y la bandera. In the 18th century some changes were made, which include the decoration of the interior of the church by Domingo Martinez and the great cloister by Leonardo de Figueroe. In 1992 the building was renovated further which then permitted the Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes) to open. The Museum entrance fee is 1.50€ and students are admitted free. The Museum is also fully equipped for the disabled and wheelchairs are available.
The permanent exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville is the paintings and sculptures originating from the middle ages until today of the school of Painting and Sculptures. The features of the exhibit are Furniture, Silver work, Ceramics as well as Renaissance and Baroque glazed Seville tiles shown in the museums court yard; other exhibits include paintings by Murillo, Zurbaran, and Valdes Leal, and sculptures by Pietro Torrigiano, Juan Martinez Montañez and Juan Mesa.
The Opening hours to the Museums of the Fine Arts are Tuesday, 14:30- 20:30, Wednesday to Saturday, 09:00- 20:30, Sunday and national holidays 09:00- 14:30, Closed Sundays.
Contact information and Address: Museo De Bellas Artes De Sevilla Plaza del Museo 9 ES- 41001 Sevilla Spain
Seville contains many monuments and historical background. The times Seville experienced during the Muslim domination for five centuries made an Arabic impression in the city of Seville still experienced today; most of the monumental buildings or structures have an Arabic flair to them giving the feeling that one may experience and relive this historical time period.
The “Archivo General de Indias” formally named the “Mercaderes Market” is where documentation of the Spanish and American alliance is kept from the time of the colonization of America. Built in 1572 this historical building was built by Alonso de Vandelviva and Juan de Minjares. in the 17th century a century prior to being chosen to be the “Archivo General de Indias” by king Carlos III, a cross of the oath was built on the second floor.
The Mercaderes Market was dramatically changed when it transferred to the “Archivo general de Indias”, the main staircase was rebuilt this building is considered a "Herrera Style" due to square ness of the building and the large central patio. The admission for this monument is free and the opening hours are from 10 am to 4 pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 10 am to 2 pm Sundays and national holidays. The “Archivo General de Indias” is only closed 25th December and 31st December.
This is a beautiful building filled Spanish culture, definitely a place to visit and experience.
A hotel I would recommended in Seville is the "Alfonso XII" 5* grand luxury hotel. This hotel is part of Starwoods Luxury Collection of hotels under the westin brand.
This beautiful hotel named after the king who commissioned it in 1928, is situated right in the heart of Seville near the Guadalquivir banks, walking distance to the Cathedral, Plaza de España and most of the major monuments in the city. Situated among the arches and arabesques of the historical city centre of Seville, and only minutes from the Reales Alc'zares. The hotel itself is probably one of the best hotels in Europe, with a stunningly beautiful structure. The Alfonso XIII has been visited by most of Europe’s royalty as well as the United Nations and heads of state from around the world. With genuine crystal chandeliers and stunning arches it even has it's own little art gallery.The hotel is the peak of luxury. All 147 rooms (55 Double Deluxe rooms , 54 double Grand Deluxe rooms, 19 Single rooms, 14 Junior Suites, 4 Executive Suites, 1 Royal Suite) in the hotel are all lined with silk and every room in the hotel has a different concept. All double and single rooms look over the beautiful patio of the hotel, the junior suites have a bedroom and a living quarter, the Executive suites have two bedrooms and a living quarter and the Royal suite is 200 meters squared which include a dining room, a living room, a parlour room, two bathrooms and a master bedroom, this suite is decorated with antiques and has butler service on call. Unlike most hotels the best rooms are actually situated on the first floor, because the rooms on the top floor were actually the servants’ quarters.
The Alfonso XIII is also fully equipped with a business centre, it offer secretarial and translation services and four banquet rooms (Cartuja room - 492sq. ft, Andalucia room - 515 sq. ft, Hispalis room 754 sq. ft, Real Room 1148sq. ft).
There were a few disappointments in my stay I must admit; though the hotel is beautiful in every way and most of the staff was quite friendly the restaurant staffs’ service is not as good as it should be and has room for improvement; I also feel that a hotel of that standard should have better quality toilet paper.
However all in all, this hotel is a wonderful hotel to visit in Seville’s beautiful city.
