They say a city is enjoyed twice as much when you know its history, and if it is as fascinating as Seville’s, fun times are guaranteed.

Our city has a diverse, ancient and exciting history. Many of its streets, buildings, squares and parks have a story to tell. For this reason, today we suggest 5 places in Seville with memorable tales that you should not miss on you next visit to the city.

• The Jewish Quarter

In the 13th century, King Ferdinand III conquered Seville, an event which led to many Jews migrating to the city. Initially, they were welcomed and Ferdinand’s son granted them 4 mosques to convert into synagogues. However about a century later, religious disputes led to systematic harassment towards the Jewish people and eventually on June 6th 1391 there was a massacre where around 4000 Jews lost their life.
Today, the Judería street represents certain homage to those unjustly fallen. This whole area in the San Bartolomé district is now known as the Jewish quarter, whereas only this famous street bears the name. The clear Seville style is evident is this area along with the narrow streets, white walls, flowers on the balconies and history on every corner.

• Pilatos House

This historic building is located in the centre of Seville, at the end of San Esteban Street and owns its style to Fadrique Enriquez de Ribera. After a trip to the Holy Land which allowed him to visit Rome, Venice and Florence, he was inspired to complete the work his parents had begun on the ancestral home. On his return to Seville in 1520, he completed the refurbishment, bringing the Renascence style to Seville for the first time. This new style is believed to have given the house its name ‘Pilate’s House’. Another theory suggests Pilate’s original residency was located at the same distance from Calvary Hill as the Seville home was from the Cruz del Campo pilgrimage site on the outskirts of the city. This fact was discovered by Fadrique and is said to have inspired the tradition to carry out the Via Crucis from one point to another, which is also considered the predecessor to Seville’s Holy Week traditions.
The palace holds an unequalled beauty and maintains a great amount of the elements that distinguished it so much during its time.

• Costurero de la Reina

The legend that names this small building by the San Telmo Palace goes as follows: The Duke of Montpensier, Antonio of Orleans, cunningly schemed in order for his daughter, María de las Mercedes, to be crowned queen. In this way, his wife managed to encourage the King Alfonso XII, to visit Seville and be seduced by their daughter’s charm. The plan worked and they were soon married. However, soon after, the now queen fell ill and the doctors recommended Seville’s sunshine and calm as the perfect remedy. It is said the queen spent many days sowing in the Guard House, known today as Costurero de la Reina, in an attempt to disperse the sadness at the idea of leaving her beloved king alone. However, the dates don’t add up, since the building was built after the historic events. But the legend is still quoted by many locals for the romantic charm of the tale, nonetheless.

• Archive of the Indies

The building is located on Constitución Street, just opposite the cathedral and it is a must see for any visitor due to its historical relevance and the beauty of the building itself. This archive was created under Charles III to compile all the documents referring to the Americas that were located in Cadiz, Simancas and Seville. Over the years numerous documents have been added to reach the current sum of 8 million pages with over 8 thousand drawings and maps of an incalculable historic value. It is the greatest account of Spanish administration in the American continent.

 

So now you know, after booking a room at Hotel Ribera de Triana, one of the best hotels in Triana, you have many places to choose from to discover the historic side of the city.