Legend has it that Seville was founded by Hercules, a mythological hero from Greece. When it was under Roman rule, Seville was called Hispalis, and even today, because of this, the inhabitants of Seville are called Hispalenses. The most significant reigns that have left their mark and are visible in today's Seville are the Phoenician, Roman and Arab reigns. During the Phoenician colonization, Seville was called Spall, and the meaning of the name is "lowland". During the Roman rule, Seville was called Hispalis, and during the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, Seville received the Arabic name - Ishbilijatun.
As a city, Seville was founded in the 9th century by the Tartesans. Seville was once a famous trading colony. The Phoenicians conquered it but also destroyed it, together with the Carthaginians. Seville had the status of a colony during the time of Julius Caesar, and Ptolemy declared it a metropolis in his time. The Visigoths, a barbarian tribe, made Seville the center of southern Spain, and it was then much more important than Cordoba. The older parts of the city belong to Arab architecture and this is what the Moors left as their legacy from 711 AD. In the 13th century, Fernando III conquered Seville and then it became part of the Kingdom of Castile.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, a large city cathedral was built in Seville, on the site of the former mosque. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the majority of Seville's population was Muslim. It is interesting to note that 80% of the population of the whole of Spain was Muslim in the 12th century. In Seville, the influence of Moorish culture can best be seen at the Alcazar-palace from the 12th century.
Seville has its own coat of arms and its own flag. Seville is one of the oldest cities in Spain. It is as important today as it has been throughout its long history. The inscriptions NO and DO can be seen all over the city, which is a symbol of the saying of the King of Castile (Alfonso the Tenth Uceni), who died alone in Seville, in exile. The inscription No i Do means: "She did not leave me", where he means Seville. He said of Seville that she was the only lover who did not leave him, the only, faithful and last.
In Seville, there is the largest square in the world, or at least one of the largest, and it is the Spanish Square. Today, Seville is a city where the modern and traditional meet. Here you can get to know the real culture of Shania and enjoy the customs that the people of Seville proudly emphasize.
Tenerife is a magnificent island of volcanic origin that belongs to the Canary Islands. Often called the island of eternal spring, Tenerife is an ideal place for a year-round vacation. From the amazing volcanic beaches characterized by black sand, popular beaches such as Las Americas, to the endless Mount Teide with the highest peak in Spain - 3718 meters. It is easy to fall in love with this island.
Gran Canaria is surely one of the last remaining European Paradise islands, situated in the Atlantic Ocean, some 200km away from the coast of Africa. It is the third largest of the Canary Islands, neighbored by Fuerteventura and Tenerife. The capital, Las Palmas, is situated in the northeast of the island. Gran Canaria is the island of contrasts, bursting with culture, an unbelievably beautiful coast and spectacular sunny beaches, the perfect destination all year round. From its cold climate in the north, to the sunny south, this perfect holiday island has everything even the most demanding traveler would wish for: a great specter of climates, lush forests, exotic flora and fauna, volcanic craters, as well as a strange sediment of snow at the highest peaks.
Madrid is considered one of the largest cities in Europe with 3.2 million inhabitants, it is the third city in the European Union. It is located 665 meters above sea level, which makes it the city with highest altitude in Europe. It is located on the banks of the small river Manzanares, and northwest of the city rises the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain. Its climate is continental, winters are short and cold, usually without precipitation, while summers are very warm. Everyone has at least once wished to visit the capital of Spain, and that desire will become even greater and more pronounced through our written guide. Madrid is a modern city with an old soul. It houses over 2.000 monuments and 90 museums that tell the story of the history and art of this city. You will get to know the historical figures and the art scene that raised this city as it is today.
Barcelona is a beautiful city that can offer you numerous cultural experiences and amazing beaches that are only a few minutes walk from the city center. The architecture of Barcelona will delight you. Many great painters and artists have created in this city and their influence is evident today in Barcelona and around the world. Here we primarily mean Picasso and Miro. While on the beach you can try some of the best seafood the Mediterranean has to offer, and there are many great restaurants and bars offering tapas. Barcelona is the largest Mediterranean city with 1.7 million inhabitants.
Seville is the capital of the province of Andalusia in Spain. It is the main cultural center of Spain. About 700,000 inhabitants live in Seville and it is considered a metropolis, which is in 4th place, after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Today we call Seville the place where the popular bullfight takes place, Don Juan was born in Seville, the best Spanish tapas are eaten here and the most famous Spanish opera "The Barber of Seville" is watched, and visitors admire its beautiful Moorish architecture. Seville is one of the main commercial centers of Spain, but it is also an important seat of the diocese.
