3 Must-See Locations In Seville, Andalucia, Spain

Seville is a fascinating city and it is impossible to cover everything in one article. Its historic centre boasts its Gothic cathedral and its mix of Mudejar palaces, winding medieval lanes and baroque churches. Visitors can hang out at the Flamenco clubs watching skilled dancers make their moves or can dine at the many excellent restaurants.

The good news is that fully vaccinated Americans can now visit Europe this summer, so make sure you head to Spain and gorgeous Seville! Here we list three iconic locations in this historic city that are a definite must-see for everyone.

1. Metropol Parasol, Seville

Jürgen Mayer-Hermann designed the Metropol Parasol, but when he started constructing it, there was almost an uprising by the locals in Seville. The ultra-modern structure was to stand in the Old Quarter of the city amidst its historic and beautiful buildings. However, since then, locals seem to have embraced the stunning creation.

Believed to be the largest wooden structure in the world, the Metropol Parasol is a huge, modern interpretation of wooden mushrooms. It stands at 150 by 70 metres and 26 metres high and dominates the landscape of the city centre. In keeping with the history of the city, the basement floor houses a museum of ancient Roman and Moorish artefacts, while the ground floor hosts a Central Market. Meanwhile, levels of the structure offer terraces high above the ground, offering stunning views of the city and the chance to walk at eye level along the ancient buildings of the Old Quarter.

2. The Royal Shipyards of Seville

Photo by José Luis Filpo Cabana/Wikimedia Commons

The Royal Shipyards of Seville have been closed to the public for two decades. However, they are said to be opening again in 2022. Fans of the HBO series might recognise this location from season 7 of “Game of Thrones,” where it was used as a film set for a medieval shipyard.

In around 1248, King Ferdinand III of Castile took Seville from the Moors. In order to secure his position, Ferdinand launched a military campaign into northern Africa and for this, he needed ships. After Ferdinand died in 1252, his son, Alfonso X went ahead with his father’s plans and began work on the Reales Atarazanas de Sevilla, or the Royal Shipyards of Seville.

Photo by José Luis Filpo Cabana/Wikimedia Commons

The shipyard stands outside the city walls, close to the Guadalquivir River and covers around 3.33 acres. The shipyard consists of 17 vaulted naves, similar to that found in a church or cathedral and was built in the Gothic-Mudejar style. Each nave was large enough for construction of a galley.

In the mid-15th century, the need for new ships dwindled and the Royal Shipyards of Seville were used as a fish market and later for oil and wool warehouses. In 1945, five naves were destroyed to make room for the Delegacion de Hacienda (Tax Office) building. However, no further destruction took place and the shipyard is now a National Monument, protecting it from further damage.

While the shipyards stood empty for decades, in December 2018 it was decided to restore them in order to open the Royal Shipyards of Seville to the public in 2022. “Game of Thrones” fans will no doubt be thrilled to visit it at that time. In season 7, the shipyard was used to represent the cellars beneath the Red Keep in King’s Landing. BR

3. Expo '92 Grounds, Seville

Across the river from the medieval streets of Seville is an area filled with decaying remnants of a futuristic world’s fair. Organised 500 years after Columbus sailed to the shores of the New World, The Universal Exposition of Seville (dubbed Expo ’92) was themed “The Age of Discovery.”

Around 100 nations participated in the Expo, an event that drew more than 40 million visitors to the site. Since that time, many of the pavilions were demolished, but some structures remain. Here you can see former features like a geodesic globe, a statue of Columbus, an obelisk known as the Tower of Europe and a rocket ship shell.

Part of the Expo ’92 grounds was made into a theme park called Parque Isla Magica. However, visiting here during the weekends and evenings, it seems eerily quiet as you stroll among the slowly crumbling pavilions.

Visit Seville on your next trip to Spain and take in these and many other sites in this historic city.