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| Seville Information |
| Sevilla lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir
and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the Mohammedan
minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom),
and the Alc?zar Palace. Part of its treasure include Casa de Pilatos,
the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of
the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second picture
gallery in Spain) , plus convents, parish churches and palaces. It has hosted two international exhibitions (1929 and 1992) and is the administrative capital of Andaluci'a. The quarter of Triana on the other side of the river, La Macarena, Santa Cruz and San Bartolome', the street of Las Sierpes, plus La Maestranza bullring, Mari'a Luisa park and the riverside walks are all representative images of Sevilla. For all its important monuments and fascinating history, Seville is universally famous for being a joyous town. While the Sevillians are known for their wit and sparkle, the city itself is striking for its vitality. It is the largest town in Southern Spain, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro. The Sevillians are great actors and put on an extraordinary performance at their annual Fería de Abril, a week-long party of drink, food and dance which takes place day and night in more than a thousand especially mounted tents. But above all it allows the men to parade on their fine horses and the women to dance in brilliantly coloured gypsy dresses. In Seville, you will want to visit the old city, with the Cathedral and the Giralda tower at its heart. (You can climb the steps inside the tower for a magnificent view of the City) Very close by are the royal Mudéjar palace known as the Alcazar with marvellous gardens and the Santa Cruz quarter, with cramped streets, flowered balconies, richly decorated facades, hidden patios... Other sights not to be missed are, In the old city, the Casa de Pilatos, a large sixteenth-century mansion where Mudejar, Gothic and Renaissance styles blend harmoniously amidst exuberant patios and gardens and, crossing the Triana bridge over the large Guadalquvir river, the lively popular quarter of Triana with charming narrow streets around the church of Santa Ana and traditional. ceramic factories. Restaurant : Restaurants here are more expensive than most in Spain, but even around the cathedral and the Barrio Santa Cruz, there are few places that can simply be dismissed as tourist traps. Remember that in the evening the 'sevillanos', even more than most Andalusians, enjoy bar-hopping for tapas, rather than sitting down to one meal; two Sevillanos in a bar is a party, three is a fiesta! Expensive Not many restaurants here have attractions beyond the cuisine: La Albahaca, Plaza Santa Cruz, (95 4220714), has tables outside, artwork on its crockery and three dining rooms, creating a romantic and relaxing atmosphere. Specialities include scorpion fish with peanuts and fennel; mushrooms with green asparagus; partridge with endives. Prices start at around 4,000 pts per head (closed Sunday). Splendidly situated on the corner of the Jardines Alcazar, opposite the university, is one of Seville's best-loved restaurants, the Egana-Oriza, San Fernando 41, (95 422 7211). It serves the best of Andaluz and Basque cuisine. Included among its tempting delights are: spider crab mousse and escalope of goose in pear sauce. The restaurant also has the separately run Bar Espana for good fish and salad tapas. North of the Giralda, you can dine well on French and Italian specialities at San Marco, Cuno 6 (95 421 2440) in a large old elegantly decorated sevillana house; try the ravioli stuffed with sea bass, crayfish salad or tournedos of duck foie gras. By the cathedral in the narrow Argote de Monina is Meson Don Raimundo, a restaurant in what was once a convent. No enforced abstinence here, though. You can enjoy a large selection of fish, shellfish and game dishes amid an eclectic decor of religious artefacts and suits of armour. Along the Triana side of the Guadalquivir, you can dine with a view of the Torre del Oro and La Giralda at the restaurant Rio Grande, Calle Betis, s/n (95 427 3956). The kitchen here specialises in regional cuisine, and on a Sunday afternoon if there's a good corrida you can join in the roars of ole that erupt from the bullring on the opposite bank. Along from here is Ox's, Calle Betis, 61 (95 427 9585) with Basque novelties cod stuffed peppers and fish and steaks. Moderately Priced La Barca, Placentines, 25 is good value for money, specialising in fish and seafood and Las Meninas on Calle Manara is also very good, with the same owner. The Bodegon Torre del Oro, Calle Santander 15 specialises in a hard fleshed fish called urta rotena which is caught locally. The three course lunch here costs 3,000 ptas and the raciones are good also. Inexpensive Tapas bars are the best bet in Seville, if you don't want to spend too much. The Bodega La Andana, Argote de Molina is where many of the locals spill out onto the pavement, particularly at weekends. Around the corner you can eat well at the bar restaurant, Gonzalo which overlooks the Giralda. There's a reasonably priced and varied menu at Bar Giralda, Calle Mateos with a good selection of sherries. Bar Modesto is a short stroll from the cathedral serving breakfast, raciones and full meals. Kiosko de las Flores serves light fish lunches of boquerones, among other things. The place is an informal cafe-bar, right by the Puente de Isabel 11, and part of it looks over the water. Prices are a little high, a glorified fishy snack with a drink costs 1,300 pts but it's well worth the little extra for the ambience and view. One of the most atmospheric tapas bars is the El Rinconillo, Gerona 42 which dates back to 1670 and is decorated with bright tiles and ochre paint. There is a marvellous array of reasonable tapas here. This is where the locals gather to spend the evening in loud animated chatter. The staff, oblivious, chalk up the bill on the bar. Cheap Seville's cheapest restaurants are located around Calle San Eloy. Particularly recommended are the marisocos bars in the small streets of Clle Tetuan and Calle Sierpes. The Antigua Bodequita is a find, tiny bar opposite the church on Plaza del Salvador, but if you just fancy cakes, coffee or ice cream head for La Campana on Calle Sierpes. Established in 1885, it's udoubtedly one of the quaintist cafes in the city. As well as the tapas bars mentioned above, the following may be recommended in Seville - all are centrally located. *El Bacalao - Plaza Ponce de Leon, 15 *Becerrita - Calle Hernando Colon 1 *Bodega la Albariza - Calle Betis 6 *Casa Manolo - Calle San Jorge 6 *Casa Omana,Plaza de los Venerables 1 *La Estrella, Calle Estrella 3 *Modesto, Calle Cueto *Sol y Sombre, Calle Castilla 151 |
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