Seville history

The history of Seville, the capital of Andalusia, spans more than two millennia. It is a city where every stone breathes history, and layers of cultures—from Phoenicians and Romans to Moors and Christian kings—have created its unique appearance. Legends attribute the founding of the city to Hercules himself, but the real history is no less fascinating.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements in the territory of modern Seville emerged around the 9th century BC, presumably founded by Iberian tribes. Later, the Phoenicians settled here, naming the settlement Sephele, which meant "lowland." In the 2nd century BC, the Romans conquered this territory and founded the city of Hispalis. Under Julius Caesar, it received the status of an official colony of the Roman Empire, becoming an important trade and administrative centre of the Baetica province. During this period, the foundations of the city's future prosperity were laid.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Seville over the centuries was determined by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its location on the navigable Guadalquivir River, which has access to the Atlantic Ocean, turned Seville into a strategically important river port connecting the interior regions of Spain with maritime trade routes.
• Political Power: The city served as a capital under various rulers: the Visigoths, and the Arab dynasties of the Almoravids and Almohads (when it bore the name Ishbiliya). After the Reconquista, it became one of the key cities of the Crown of Castile.
• Trade with the New World: After the discovery of the Americas in 1492, Seville received a monopoly on trade with the new colonies. This marked the beginning of the city's "Golden Age," turning it into one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan centres in the world.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Every era has left its mark on the culture and economy of Seville. In the Roman period, the city was famous for the production of olive oil and wine. During the era of Moorish rule (8th-13th centuries), Ishbiliya became a thriving cultural and scientific centre, which is reflected in the architecture that has left us such gems as the Alcázar palace and the Giralda tower. The "Golden Age" (16th-17th centuries) was not only a time of economic prosperity due to the flow of treasures from the Americas but also a period of artistic flourishing. It was in Seville that great artists such as Diego Velázquez and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo created their masterpieces.

Key Milestones in Seville's History

The history of Seville is a kaleidoscope of eras and cultures that have left their mark on the architecture, traditions, and very spirit of the city. From a Roman outpost to a capital of world trade and a cultural centre of Andalusia, each stage was significant in its own way.

• 206 BC — The Romans found the city of Italica near the existing settlement and begin developing the port of Hispalis, which becomes an important centre of the Baetica province.
• 712 — The city is conquered by the Moors, and under the name Ishbiliya, it becomes one of the key emirates on the Iberian Peninsula.
• 1091 — Seville comes under the rule of the Almoravid dynasty, and later the Almohads, during whose reign iconic structures such as the Giralda tower are built.
• 1248 — King Ferdinand III of Castile conquers Seville from the Moors after a long siege, returning the city to Christian rule.
• 1492 — After the discovery of the Americas, Seville receives a monopoly on trade with the New World, marking the beginning of its "Golden Age."
• 1503 — The "Casa de Contratación" (House of Trade) is established in the city to regulate all trade with the American colonies.
• 1649 — A plague epidemic claims the lives of nearly half the city's population, becoming one of the causes of the beginning of economic decline.
• 1808 — During the Napoleonic Wars, Seville becomes a centre of national resistance against the French occupation.
• 1929 — The city hosts the grand Ibero-American Exposition, for which the famous Plaza de España and numerous pavilions in Maria Luisa Park are created.
• 1982 — Seville officially becomes the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia.
• 1992 — The city hosts the Universal Exposition "Expo '92," coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas, giving a powerful impulse to the modernization of its infrastructure.

Stages of Seville's Transformation: A New Perspective

Beyond the well-known milestones associated with Moorish rule and the "Golden Age," the appearance of Seville was shaped by less obvious but equally significant cultural and social transformations. These stages allowed the city to redefine itself and find new points of growth, strengthening its status as a unique European centre.

• The Romantic Myth of Seville (19th Century): In the Romantic era, Seville turned into a stage for the imagination of all Europe. Operas such as "Carmen" by Georges Bizet and "The Barber of Seville" by Gioachino Rossini created a powerful and attractive image of a city of passion, free-spirited gypsies, and brave bullfighters. This literary and musical myth formed the perception of Seville as the quintessence of exotic Spain, attracting artists, writers, and travellers to the city, which laid the foundations for its tourism identity.
• Cultural Renaissance of the "Generation of '27": In the early 20th century, Seville became one of the centres of a powerful intellectual movement known as the "Generation of '27." It was here, in 1927, that an event was held in honour of the poet Luis de Góngora, which gave the name to this group of writers and poets, including Federico García Lorca and Rafael Alberti. They sought to combine Spanish traditions with the European avant-garde, leading to a true renaissance in Spanish literature and art, inscribing Seville into the history of world culture.
• Transformation after "Expo '92": The Universal Exposition of 1992 launched a new era of urban development. The territory of La Cartuja island, where the event took place, was transformed into the technological and scientific park Cartuja 93, as well as the theme park Isla Mágica. One of the most striking symbols of modern Seville became the Metropol Parasol project, known as the "Mushrooms of Seville" (Las Setas de Sevilla). This giant wooden structure, completed in 2011, not only transformed an ancient square but also became a landmark example of bold modern architecture integrated into the city's historical landscape.

Seville's Architectural Landscape: From Mudéjar to Avant-Garde

The architecture of Seville is a visual chronicle of its rich history, where each style reflects a specific era, culture, and worldview. The city represents a unique blend of Moorish heritage, Gothic grandeur, Renaissance harmony, and bold modern forms.

Moorish Heritage and Mudéjar Style

After the Reconquista in the 13th century, a unique architectural style called Mudéjar emerged in Seville—a synthesis of Islamic and Christian art. Muslim craftsmen who remained in Christian lands applied their traditional techniques, creating buildings for the new rulers. The brightest example of this style is the Royal Alcázar—a palace complex where Gothic structures combine with exquisite Arabic calligraphy, plaster stucco, and coloured tiles (azulejos). This style, uniting two cultures, defined the architectural identity of not only Seville but all of Andalusia for centuries.

Gothic and the Renaissance "Golden Age"

The symbol of the power of Christian Spain became the Seville Cathedral, built in the 15th-16th centuries on the site of a former mosque. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, whose grandiose vaults and buttresses were intended to demonstrate the greatness of the faith. From the old mosque, only the famous Giralda tower remains, extended in the 16th century and converted into a bell tower. Seville's "Golden Age" (16th-17th centuries), linked to trade with the Americas, brought Renaissance architecture to the city. A landmark building of this era is the General Archive of the Indies—an example of the strict and monumental Herreriano style, which contrasted with the opulence of late Gothic and Mudéjar.

Regionalism and the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929

In the early 20th century, Seville underwent a massive urban renewal in preparation for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. This event gave the city one of its most recognizable symbols—the grandiose Plaza de España, designed by Aníbal González. The ensemble of the square is a striking example of the Neo-Mudéjar style, reinterpreting Moorish motifs using ceramics and brick. Many pavilions in Maria Luisa Park, built by participating countries, also reflected this desire to revive national and regional styles.

Modern Architecture and Expo '92

A new impulse for the city's development was provided by the Universal Exposition "Expo '92", dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas. An entire district of futuristic architecture grew on La Cartuja island. Bridges designed by Santiago Calatrava and pavilions of various countries demonstrated the latest architectural trends. Perhaps the boldest and most discussed modern project in the historic centre was the Metropol Parasol (known as the "Mushrooms of Seville"), completed in 2011. This giant wooden structure by architect Jürgen Mayer not only covered the square but also became a new symbol of the city, proving that Seville is open to dialogue between the past and the future.

Notable Figures Associated with Seville

Throughout the centuries, Seville has been a cradle for many outstanding figures who have left a significant mark on world history and culture. The city nurtured and inspired emperors, artists, poets, and explorers whose names are forever inscribed in the annals of history.

• Trajan (53–117 AD) — A Roman emperor born in the city of Italica, located near ancient Hispalis (Seville). His reign was marked by the maximum expansion of the Roman Empire's borders and large-scale construction projects. Trajan went down in history as one of the "Five Good Emperors."
• Hadrian (76–138 AD) — A Roman emperor, also a native of Italica and Trajan's successor. He was known for his love of art, travels throughout the empire, and the construction of defensive structures, such as the famous Hadrian's Wall in Britain.
• Diego Velázquez (1599–1660) — One of the greatest painters in history, a bright representative of the "Golden Age" of Spanish painting. He was born and began his creative journey in Seville. His realistic portraits and genre scenes, such as "Las Meninas," had a huge influence on the development of European art.
• Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682) — An outstanding painter of the Seville school, a master of religious and genre painting. His works, characterized by softness and lyricism, depicting Madonnas and street children, brought him European fame and became a hallmark of Seville Baroque.
• Juan de Valdés Leal (1622–1690) — A Spanish Baroque painter, also born in Seville. Together with Murillo, he founded the Seville Academy of Painting. His work is known for its drama and philosophical depth, especially in works on the theme of vanitas (the transience of life).
• Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870) — One of the most significant poets of Spanish Romanticism. Born in Seville, he became famous for his collection "Rhymes" (Rimas) and prose "Legends" (Leyendas), which subtly convey feelings of love, melancholy, and mystery.
• Antonio Machado (1875–1939) — An outstanding poet and thinker of the "Generation of '98." He was born in the Palacio de las Dueñas in Seville, and although he spent most of his life in other cities, his work is deeply connected to his Andalusian roots and reflections on the fate of Spain.
• Vicente Aleixandre (1898–1984) — A poet of the "Generation of '27," laureate of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1977. He was born in Seville and became one of the key representatives of Surrealism in Spanish poetry, exploring themes of love, death, and nature.