The beginnings of a renaissance in Sevilla was triggered by the Ibero-American
Exposition of 1929. This exposition occurred on May 9, 1929 and ended June 21, 1930 showcasing the similarities held between Spain, Latin America, the United States, Portugal and Brazil. The goal was to improve relations between the attending countries. The Ibero-american Exposition coincided with the Barcelona International Exhibition of 1929, together the two expositions made up the General Spanish Expositions. During the exposition the gardens gifted by Duke de Montpensier were renewed.

During the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 the Nationalists had captured the area, preserving much of the city. The Spanish Civil war was triggered by an uprising in Seville on July 18 1936 which failed in many regions located in Andalusian cities but succeeded in the regions of Cordoba, Granada, Cadiz, and in the capital city of Seville. In Seville a city garrison ,which was led by nationalist General Gonzalo Queipo de Llano, occupied the city and carried out a bloody repression. In August 1936 the Nationalists led by Llano began their march to Madrid from Seville.

The Nationalist Uprising in Seville would last from July 18,1936 till July 25, 1936. A group of army officers from the Spanish Army would attempt to overthrow the Popular Front government of the Second Spanish Republic. The goal of their coup was to seize control of the main cities in the country, Seville would be one of these.

The Nationalist coup in Seville would be led by Quiepo de Llano. According to Llano he and a small unit of 130 soldiers and 15 civilians had managed to seize the Seville with him personally arresting the Republican general Villa-Abrile after convincing the republican garrison to join the coup. The Seville coup was organized by José Cuesta Moreneo, chief of staff of Seville, who struggled to find participants for the coup since most of the men were on summer leave.

The Coup in Seville began on July 18 when Llano and some of his supporters arrested Villa-Abrille as well as a colonel of the 6th Remient named Manuel Allengi, who had refused to join the uprising. Members of the artillery regiment joined the uprising and bombed the gobierno civil or the civil government. The Civil governor would surrender and join the uprising after Quiepo de Llano promised to spare his life, after the surrender the assault guards and police were executed.

After the coup all members of the Republican parties and the leftist parties were rounded up by Nationalists and imprisoned. The entire operation was organized by captain Diz Criado, a Spanish infantry officer. Many Republican supporters were executed after the coup in retaliation for the 13 nationalists that had been executed during the coup. Llano sent a column of Civil Guards, Falangists, requetes and soldiers to occupy other towns in the province; this army would be financed by the wealthy landowners. Many prisoners would be sent to the columns in Seville to be executed. The rebel actions in Seville were key to a strategic victory .

Citations

Investigating Repression During the Spanish Civil War: Seville, 1936 | Penn CURF, University of Pennsylvania, 2022, https://curf.upenn.edu/project/marron-sarah-investigating-repression-during-spanish-civilwar-seville-1936.

Nelson, Richard. “The Spanish Civil War Begins – Archive, July 1936.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 July 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/from-the-archive-blog/2021/jul/14/panish-civilwar-begins-july-1936.

“Pavilions of the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition.” Turismo De La Provincia De Sevilla, 2022, https://www.turismosevilla.org/en/what-see-and-do/heritage/monuments/pavilions-1929-ibero-american-exhibition#:~:text=The%20Ibero%2DAmerican%20Exhibition%20took,United%20States%2C%20Portugal%20and%20Brazil.

Payne, Stanley G. The Spanish Civil War. Cambridge University Press, 2013. https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/ibero-american-exposition-of-1929/m02f1t2?hl=en

“Seville and the Expo of 1929.” Seville and the Expo of 1929 | Spain.info in English, Travel Safe, 2022, https://www.spain.info/en/activities/seville-expo-1929/.

The Spanish civil war begins – archive, 1936 https://www.theguardian.com/world/from-the-archive-blog/2021/jul/14/panish-civil-war-begins-july-1936

There is a great amount of history in Seville. The city of Seville is about 2,220 years old. Seville used to be Iberian town and was actually founded by the Romans. The original people of Seville were known as The Silingi Vandals. The town fell to the Muslims in 711 BC. After the Muslims took over, Seville became a leader in cultural and commercial centers under the Abbasid Dynasty. Seville was the capital of Alomad in the 12th century. Seville also enjoyed great programs in terms of building. Unfortunately in 1248 Muslim reigned ended in Seville after being taken over by Spanish Christians rule. The leader of this group was Ferdinand III. After Spanish Christians took over Jewish and Moorish communities were thrown into exile, which had a devastating impact on their economy and left it in shambles.

The Spanish Christians brought new prosperity to the city of Seville. Seville became the place for exploration  of the Americas through The Casa de Contratacion, which translates to the house of trade and was created in 1503 in order to regulate the selling of and buying of goods between the New World and Spain. Seville was the richest Cities in Spain during the 16th century. Sevilles was also the most populated city in Spain during the 16th century as well. The population of Seville in the year 1588 was 150,000 people. Seville economy declined in the 17th century as a result of relying on other colonies for their goods instead of relying on trading with others from Spain. 

Art and literature were also an important part in Seville’s history as well. Some famous painters in Seville were: Fransicso de Zurbaran, Bartolome Etseban Murillo, and Diego Velazquez. Fransicso de Zurbara pieces of art were Eternal Father and Temptations of Saint Jerome. Diego Velazquez also had paintings such as Don Cristobol Suraez de Ribera and Saint Ildefonzo Receiving the Chasuble from the Virgin. Some paintings that were created by Bartolome Eteban Murillo were Saint Anne teaching the Virgin to read and La Colasal Immaculate Conception. These paintings are all currently in the Museum of fine arts of Seville today. Juan Martinez Montanes was a famous sculptor in Seville. He was born in 1568 in Alcala la Real, Spain and died in the year 1649 in Seville, Spain at the age of 81 years old. Some of his works of art in included Child Jesus Standing, which was created in 1625, and Saint John the Evangelist that he created in 1638. Some famous poets in Seville were Miguel de Cervantes and Fernando de Herrera. Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcala de Henares, Spain in 1547 and died in Madrid, Spain in 1616. One of Miguel de Carvantes most famous book was called Don Quixote, which he wrote while he was in a Seville Jail. Some of his other books included La Galatea and The Little Gispy Girl, and both books were written in the year 1613. Fernando de Herrera was born in Seville in 1534 and died in Seville in 1597. Some famous books that he wrote included Poesia, which was his most popular book and Sonetos. 

“Sevilla.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/place/Sevilla-Spain. 

“Baroque Masters in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville – Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, 

Metmuseum.org, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/202718. 

“Fernando De Herrera.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fernando-de-Herrera.

“Diego Velázquez.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diego-Velazquez. 

Valencia R. Islamic Seville: Its political, social and cultural history. Brill. 1992 Jan 1 [accessed 2022 Nov 21]. https://brill.com/display/book/edcoll/9789004502598/B9789004502598_s009.xml 

Huevos a la flamenca

Sevillian cuisine is a massive part of the culture that gives Seville its charm. Because of its massive effect on Sevillian culture, it is necessary to fully experience all the traditional foods when visiting Seville. One of the most fantastic traditional dishes is Huevos a la flamenco. The easy to make and very old Spanish egg dish is made in many different versions depending on where it is made. The simplest version is one with baked eggs, and stewed tomatoes and peppers. While this is the most simple, other versions tend to add in Spanish meats. Meats like chorizo and morcilla sausage are often featured in this dish. Other variations include onion, garlic, pepper, and homemade tomato sauce.

Commonly, the vegetables in the dish are stewed and combined with select meats. They are then topped with eggs and baked on small clay dishes. While here in America, an egg dish would seem like a breakfast food, in Spain, you wouldn’t ever see it on in the morning. In Spain, eggs are eaten at lunch and dinner.

Rabo de toro

Robo de toro is a classic Spanish dish, and although its associated with Cordoba’s traditional cuisine most frequently, it is found in restaurants and home’s all over Andalusia, Seville included. When you order Rabo de Toro in Spain, you will be greeted with a beautifully braises Ox tail, simmered in a mix of tomatoes, red wine, sherry and other vegetables. 

When cooking, the Ox tails are heavily seasoned with salt and pepper and browned in a large cast iron casserole to keep all the fat localized. Once the tail is browned, it is removed from the pan and the vegetables are added, mixing with the melted fats. Vegetables like onions, tomatoes, celery, carrot and garlic are all commonly added to this dish. After the vegetables have begun to brown, the wine and sherry are added to sophisticate the flavors of the dish. Eventually the Ox tails are added back into the pan, paired with a few cups of water to help the Ox braise. Finally the dish is served, usually as main dish for a dinner.

Torrijas

In the early months of the year, Seville is known for smelling like incense and orange blossom. But it also smells of wine, honey, and the cinnamon flavors that go into the city’s most traditional sweet dish, Torrijas. Torrijas, (A dish similar to French Toast) is a sweet bread that is pan fried in egg and covered in cinnamon sugar.

When making Torrijas, the chefs most important decision is the bread. Commonly, Torrijas are made with fresh bread loaves. These fresh loaves are cut into 1 ½ inch slices and left to dry out for a few days. This dish is cooked the same way French toast is, but unlike our French toast which we cover in fruits, candy, and syrup, Torrijas are different. Torrijas are eaten two different ways, Torrijas de Leche and Torrijas de Vino. Torrijas de Leche is a form of Torrijas that is dipped in mix of milk and vanilla before frying, adding an extra sweetness to the toast. Torrijas de Vino is another form of Torrijas where the bread is dipped in sweet red wine instead of milk. These are most popular during Semana Santa (A holy week in Spain).

In Seville, food is a huge part of the city. When visiting this part of Spain people need to take full advantage of the different types of dishes and meals here. One of the most popular dishes to try is called Gazpacho. It’s an ancient dish mentioned in Greek and Roman literature. When visiting Seville this is a must try dish. This dish consists of an uncooked mixture of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, water, vinegar, onions, cucumbers, and green peppers thickened with bread crumbs. The bread crumbs in the dish is how it gets its name because the term gazpacho is derived from Arabic meaning “soaked bread”. The cuisine in Seville is not always about what you eat but where and who you are eating with. Many meals happen later in the day than what people are used to in the United States. The typical eating times for all their meals is one of the major things that separates them from other cultures, because of how much later their start time of eating is compared to other cultures. Breakfast usually happens around 10 a.m. and then lunch is not until around 2 p.m. Considering this late start to eating for the day, dinner is still happening for most people around 11 at night.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/gazpacho

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20121101-the-art-of-eating-in-seville

A popular common breakfast food in Seville is a mollete which is a toasted bread roll topped with olive oil, crushed tomatoes, and garlic. Another very famous dish is called Roscón de Reyes. On the 6th of January it is the festival of the Three Kings, which is a huge holiday in Seville. This dish can be served for either breakfast, snack, or desert. It is a light cake made with sweet dough enriched with orange blossom water and topped with candied fruit. It is usually filled with whipped cream, but it can also be pudding. What makes this dish special is that the tradition is to bake a surprise into it which is typically a bean. Whoever gets the piece with the bean has to pay for the cake. 

https://www.visitasevilla.es/en/history/route-through-sweetest-seville

There are so many different variations of dishes in Seville. Which is what makes exploring the city so exciting. It could vary from different types of seafood to different types of fruits. The city is very inventive with the kinds of dishes they can create but concurrently, deep in their roots of tradition. One last dish that is a must try when visiting Seville is paella. Paella is made up of rice, saffron, vegetables, and seafood and is cooked over an open fire. The name of this dish comes from the Valencia region in Eastern Spain. It is usually served on special occasions or celebrations. The paella at the center of Seville is some of the best of its kind. La Paella Sevilla is one of the best places to try paella in Seville. The reason being is because they are just one of the few places that have mastered the art of making exquisite paella. These are just some of the amazing food experiences that many people can embark on in this beautiful city. One of the best ways to explore a new culture and city is through the taste buds.

Is Paella More Popular In Seville Or Barcelona?

Sevilla also known as Sevilla has an ambiance that is truly a dream come true. It is also known to be one of the most famous cities in Spain. It runs much deeper than its orange-scented courtyards, and stunning architecture that is inspired by Mudéjar. Seville also isn’t just an amazing place during the day or even certain seasons. Seville can be enjoyed during the night by simply watching or even joining in on an impromptu flamenco dancing or even experiencing the special Spanish holiday traditions in the winter. Along with the endless activities there are also some remarkably delicious traditional foods that can not be passed up on. https://explorenowornever.com/things-to-do-in-seville/

Flamenco Dancing

Flamenco dancing is an experience surely not worth missing out on. It is an art that originated in Andalusia, southern Spain and is a part of the gypsy heritage. There are three major parts to the flamenco performance. These include the song, guitar, and the dance. Dancers will begin with a steady clap or stomping of their feet and as emotion builds in the song they break into intricate steps of a graceful dance. Each tradition has their own version of dance, but Seville includes one for adults only that includes food and a bar and another with an emphasis on history and tradition. And if you are unfortunate enough not to come across an impromptu flamenco dancing performance, Seville even has a Flamenco Dance Museum for an intimate experience. https://explorenowornever.com/things-to-do-in-seville/

Holiday Traditions in the Winter

The period between Christmas and the start of the New Year is an indescribable special time to be in Seville. Unlike other countries, nativity scenes can be found in shop windows and cathedrals not only including just the manger scene, but also all of Bethlehem. They also have one of the largest markets found in Spain known as the feria del Bélen where nativity figurines can be admired and bought. As for New Years the adventure doesn’t end. Local Seville families feast on fish, then at midnight they devour 12 grapes. Restaurants around the area also offer a special menu that can only be experienced during this time of year. These holidays continue their festivities through the new year and end on January 6th, with a huge parade to mark the end of these remarkable holidays. Although Seville is a remarkable, bucket-list worthy city of Spain to visit all year, nothing can compare to the special holiday tradition culture experience that occurs during the winter. https://explorenowornever.com/winter-in-europe/

Tapas

Tapas are one of the most popular foods found in Seville and anyone who visits should not miss out on the opportunity to devour at least one of these taste bud filling delights. There are hundreds of tapas bars that can be found throughout the city and the culture of tapas is an essential part of the lives of those who reside in Seville. One of the oldest and most popular tapas bars found in Seville is known for the best traditional tapas in the town of Seville. This famous eatery is known as El Rinconcillo which first opened in 1670 and has greatly expanded over the years. It is run by a local family De Rueda, who took over the business in 1858 and has preserved important aspects of the original building over the last 300 years. Traditions such as decor that has been preserved over the years and the mahogany tablets which are used by staff members allows the town to respect and appreciate their culture and where they originally came from. Next best to the traditions held within this building are the renowned tapas and other local Andalusian recipes. Classic Seville tapas include Iberian ham, spinach, chickpeas, and various croquettes. Croquettes are round, cake balls that are friend in fat and filled with various types of food to an individual’s liking. They even have an amazing tapas tasting food tour in the neighborhood of Triana which is perfect for tourists who desire to expand their horizons and try many different versions of tapas. https://explorenowornever.com/things-to-do-in-seville/