The Hospital de la Caridad

Want to experience the religious artwork and architecture of Seville? The Hospital de la Caridad is the perfect place to start.

History ~ The hospital was founded by the Brotherhood of the Holy Charity to spread services to those less fortunate. Some of these services include helping the sick, poor, and homeless, and providing burials to those forgotten after death. This was all done because of the work of one man. Miguel de Manara was the founder of the selfless Brotherhood in 1666. Manara would dedicate his life to helping those less fortunate in Seville after the tragic death of his wife. The nobleman opened his heart to those sick and gave shelter to those who needed it.

The building quickly became a shelter during the epidemics that took place in the 17th and 18th centuries in Seville. The hospital carried those affected by the great plague of 1649, giving these individuals a place to stay.

Why you need to visit ~ This hospital turned tourist attraction includes various examples of Sevillian artwork and architecture. Here you can find incredible artwork from famous artists such as Murillo and Valdes Leal. Further in the building, you can find the famous Chapel of St. George, which is filled with wonderful paintings and sculptures. Other than the strong art history, the hospital attracts tourists because of its symbol of charity and service. Throughout the building, you can observe the history and culture of the Brotherhood and Seville.

Where is it ~ Tickets to the Hospital de la Caridad can be bought here. The hospital slowly became one of the main tourist attractions in Seville. Where you can find some of the most historical paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries in Seville, while learning about the courageous work of Miguel de Manara and the Brotherhood of Holy Charity. Today, the building remains a place for service, but tourists can still view the courtyard and the inside of the Chapel.

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The Cathedral of Seville

When visiting Seville, a key site every tourist must view is the Cathedral of Seville. Reaching 124,000 square feet high, it is hard to miss this gorgeous part of Seville’s history. In the building, you can find yourself in the middle of Spanish history. Seeing tombs of famous figures, an altarpiece showing the life of Jesus, and a huge pipe organ that can shake the walls of the Cathedral.

History ~ Builders of this cathedral wanted to make the most priceless and magnificent cathedral in all of Seville. The cathedral had a number of sculptors who worked tirelessly to finish the various details of the building. Construction began in 1401 with Flemish sculptor Pieter Dancart and took 105 years to complete. The construction didn’t end there. Over the centuries, it would undergo various modifications and restorations. Some due to natural disasters, such as an earthquake, and others due to construction to modernize the building.

Why you need to visit ~ The cathedral is known to house the tombs of many famous figures of history, such as Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Columbus, and Alfonso X of Castile. It also holds various artwork and architecture in Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. In the cathedral, you can find a total of 80 separate chapels. All are dedicated to a different saint or religious figure. Surprisingly, mass was once held in each of these chapels every day. The detail of the architecture is beyond what we see today.

In the cathedral, you can find a pipe organ that holds over 7,000 pipes. This pipe organ produces so much sound that the walls shake, and the sound will echo throughout the entire building.

Where is it ~ The Cathedral can be seen from almost every corner of Seville. Reaching 124,000 square feet high, it’s hard to miss this gorgeous part of Seville’s history. Today, the cathedral is still used as a church, but it is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. And is used as a venue for concerts and cultural events. The Cathedral of Seville has reached to be one of the most popular tourist attractions in Seville, and looking at the detail and history of it, it truly deserves it. Tickets to this piece of history can be bought here.

From modern works of art to historical structures from the middle-ages, it’s no secret that Seville is famous for its elegant and diverse architecture. The sheer variety is stunning enough, but the historical significance of these structures are informative for both students and instructors looking to explore Spain, Seville, and Spanish History.

You can’t visit Seville without exploring the gorgeous Royal Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace constructed by the Umayyad Caliphate on the site of a Roman settlement that would eventually become Spain. This building is not only stunning but also rich in Spanish History. This structure combines elements of Gothic architecture with both Moorish and Christian influence, which both occupied the palace at some point in history, making the Royal Alcázar of Seville a blend of unique historical styles not seen commonly in architecture.

The foundations of the palace were built in 712 CE with the arrival of Moorish forces and their takeover of Visigothic land. After the establishment of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the royal palace saw incredible upgrades. Even once the Caliphate of Cordoba fell, the Taifa Kingdom of Seville maintained the beautiful palace. The impacts of the Moors through the Taifa Kingdoms and Umayyad Dynasty on the structure can be seen through the beautiful, lush Alcazar gardens. These gardens, depicted below, are theorized to be modeled after the paradise described in the Koran, so have fun taking in the heavenly scenery!

With the arrival of more Moorish forces in Al-Andalus, including the Almohads and Almoravids, the palace grew in Islamic architectural influence. The plasterwork courtyard, lattice ceilings depicted below, and archways of the palace are heavily inspired from Islamic styles. However, a carefully trained art historian can tell that most of the design in the palace reflects the Mudéjar style, an architectural style that blends christianity and islamic building styles. As Al-Andalus’ control over Seville collapsed in 1248 CE from the rampaging tide of the Reconquista, Christian power rose, and with it, the Royal Alcázar of Seville was assimilated under Christian rule, who also added flares of traditional Gothic style in the name of the Visigoths. The spiked arches and ribbed vaults seen in the upper floors all point to remnants of Gothic architecture used in the building. This historical time frame allowed the unique architecture of past Seville rulers to accumulate, eventually concluding with Renaissance architectural styles of large marble columns that round out the design.

The Royal Alcázar of Seville isn’t just one of the most beautiful structures in the world, but it also serves as a historical timeline of Spain and the occupancy of Seville that can be seen through it’s architectural influences. Seville’s history is literally scrawled out across the walls of the palace, and can be seen on every pillar and archway. Instructors and students alike will have no shortage of histories to explore and unpack through this historical monument. If you get the chance to swing by the Alcázar, drop by the Alcázar – Andalusí Tapas, a restaurant that serves Seville favorites like gazpacho in a tapas-style experience just outside the palace itself. The experience of visiting, the rich history of the building, and the Sevillian immersion of being in the heart of the city make the Royal Alcázar of Seville a must-stop for anyone looking to explore Spanish history and Seville.