Seville Facts & Worksheets

Traditional Seville, an old Hispanic city, is the capital of the province of Seville in the autonomous region of Andalusia in southern Spain. It is the capital of Andalusia and the fourth-largest city in Spain. It is an inland harbor. The historical significance of Seville as a center of culture, as the capital of Muslim Spain, and as a hub for Spanish discovery of the New World cannot be overstated.

See the fact file below for more information on Seville Spain, or you can download our 26-page Seville Spain worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• Seville was a town in Iberia at one time. It prospered as Hispalis under the Romans starting in the second century BCE and served as the provincial capital of Baetica. 
• Early in the 5th century CE, the Silingi Vandals named it their country’s capital, but in 461, it came under Visigothic control. The town, then known as Ixvillia, thrived under Muslim administration when they conquered it in 711. 
• Under the rule of the Abbādid dynasty and the succeeding Almoravid and Almohad confederations, it rose to prominence as a significant cultural and economic hub.
• Seville, the Almohads’ capital in the 12th century, benefited from enormous affluence and expansive construction projects. 
• However, the significant Moorish and Jewish minorities were forced into exile once the Muslim occupation of Seville was terminated in 1248 by Spanish Christians under Ferdinand III, and the local economy briefly collapsed.
• The city experienced great wealth due to the Spanish discovery of the Americas. The Casa de Contratación (“House of Trade”), founded in Seville in 1503 to oversee trade between Spain and the New World, turned the city into the epicenter of America’s discovery and exploitation. 
• Seville would occupy a commanding position in Spain’s New World trade for two centuries; it was the location of the central mint for gold and silver from the Americas, and many Spaniards emigrated to the New World from its quays. 
• With almost 150,000 residents in 1588, Seville was, in reality, the wealthiest and most populated city in Spain throughout the 16th century. 
• However, Seville’s success was mainly founded on exploiting the colonies rather than local industry and commerce; thus, this brilliance was short-lived. 
• In the 17th century, Seville’s economy suffered, despite the city’s cultural life experiencing tremendous blooming.
• The splendors of Seville and Spain are the works of the painters Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Zurbarán, and Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, the sculptor Juan Martinez Montaés, and the poet Fernando de Herrera. When Miguel de Cervantes was imprisoned in Seville’s jail, he had the idea for his book Don Quixote.
• The city saw a modest economic rebirth under Spain’s Bourbon kings in the 18th century, but this progress was interrupted in the 19th century by the French invasion, revolutions, and civil war. 
• The 1929 Ibero-American Exposition marked the start of Seville’s latest Renaissance. 
• The port was expanded during the 20th century, and the city saw a resurgence as an industrial and economic hub. Because the Nationalists occupied Seville during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), its numerous architectural landmarks were preserved in their original condition.
• In 1992, Seville hosted the Universal Exposition, which sparked modernization and the building of new monuments.
• The high-speed train Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE), which travels from Seville to Madrid in less than three hours, is served by new highways and a railway station. 
• Antigua Estación de Córdoba, the former train station, has been renovated and converted into an exhibition space.
• New bridges were also built along with the Congress Palace, a theater, and an auditorium. The Guadalquivir River was also redirected into its historic course after being routed through the city for centuries.

THE CONTEMPORARY CITY

• On the left side of the Guadalquivir River, Seville’s historic center is a patchwork of winding alleyways, little enclosed plazas, and houses constructed and embellished in the Moorish architectural style.
• The middle area, next to the Alcázar Palace and the Cathedral of Santa Maria, has a little more open layout.
• One of the largest Gothic churches in terms of square footage is Seville’s Cathedral. Most of it was built between 1402 and 1506 on the site of the city’s main mosque, which the Almohads had erected between 1180 and 1200 on the location of an older Visigothic church. 
• The cathedral’s bell tower was built using the mosque’s Giralda minaret, one of the mosque’s few remaining components. The minaret surfaces are nearly covered in lovely yellow brick and Moorish-inspired stone cladding.
• Most of the Cathedral of Santa Maria is constructed in the French Late Gothic style. Still, its numerous components also feature elements of the Moorish, Gothic, Plateresque, and Baroque architectural styles. 
• The inside of the church features artwork by artists like Murillo and Zurbarán.
• The Alcázar Palace, located next to the cathedral, is the best Moorish-era relic. 
• The Alcázar, which was started in 1181 by the Almohads and maintained by the Christians, has elements of both Gothic and Moorish architecture. 
• The Torre del Oro, a decagonal brick tower previously a component of the Alcázar’s outer walls, is still a prominent element of the riverbank. 
• Two sides of the Patio de Naranjos at the cathedral and the Church of San Marcos tower, previously a mosque’s minaret, are other Moorish architecture.
• Other churches in Seville were constructed in the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo architectural styles.
• The General Archive of the Indies is housed in the Casa Lonja, completed in 1599, and located next to the cathedral. 
• It has a fantastic collection of books, drawings, manuscripts, and millions of other papers on developing and managing Spain’s empire in the Americas. 
• The majestic Baroque and Rococo structures of the former Tobacco Factory, finished in 1757, currently serve as the home of the University of Seville, established in 1502.
• A superb collection of Sevilla School paintings by artists like Velázquez, Zurbarán, Murillo, and Juan Valdés Leal can be seen at the municipal museum. There is still a Roman Catholic diocese in Seville.
• Beyond the ancient city walls, with residential and industrial zones, is a more roomy and organized layout. In the city’s south, a park called Maria Luisa Park is lovely.

SEVILLE, SPAIN ECONOMY

•  The most important inland port in Spain nowadays is Seville. The port’s main exports are wines, fruit, olives, cork, and minerals. Oil, coal, and metallurgical materials are among the commodities it receives to supply the Guadalquivir Valley and other regions of Andalusia.
• Manufacturing of tobacco, weaponry, porcelain, airplane components, chemicals, and agricultural equipment are among the city’s industries. Following World War II, shipbuilding and the creation of textiles from locally produced cotton both grew to be significant industries. Another three pillars of the city’s economy include business, services, and tourism.

SEVILLE, SPAIN CULTURE

• Festivals and celebrations are popular in Seville. One of their most well-known takes place during Semana Santa, Holy Week, the seven days before Easter. 
• During the event, comrades (brotherhoods) parade colorful floats carrying representations of sacred scenes from local churches to the Santa Maria Cathedral. 

Festivals 

• The two most well-known celebrations in Seville are Semana Santa (Holy Week) and the Feria de Sevilla (Seville Fair), commonly referred to as Feria de Abril (April Fair).
• International recognition belongs to Seville’s sad yet beautiful processions during Holy Week and its vibrant and exciting fair two weeks later. 
• Families, companies, and organizations built casetas (marquees) during the Feria, where they spent the week socializing, drinking, and dancing. 
• Traditionally, men dress in their finest suits, and ladies don beautiful flamenco costumes. Each street in the Los Remedios neighborhood is named after a well-known bullfighter, and the marquees are put up on a permanent fairground there.

Cuisine

• One of the city’s main cultural draws is its tapas scene, where patrons move from bar to bar eating small dishes known as tapas (literally “lids” or “covers” in Spanish, referring to their likely origin as snacks served on small plates used to cover drinks). 
• Local specialties include grilled and stewed meat, spinach with chickpeas, Jamón ibérico, and fried and grilled seafood (including squid, choco (cuttlefish), and swordfish. The common and well-liked kind of fast food is a sandwich called a serrano.
• Pestios, a honey-coated sweet fritter; torrijas, fried slices of bread with honey; roscoe Fritos; deep-fried sugar-coated ring doughnuts, Magdalena or fairy cakes, yemas de San Leandro, which serve as a source of income for the city’s convents, and tortas de aceite, a thin sugar-coated cake made with olive oil are typical desserts.
• Seville oranges ripen on trees that border the streets of the city. They are bitter and frequently used to manufacture lotions and marmalade for sale to the UK. 
• Legend has it that the trees from Vietnam were brought over when the mosque was built to give shade and cover up the smell of the medieval city.

Music

• The traditional flamenco music of Andalusia was combined with British-style progressive rock by bands like Triana, Alameda, and Smash. 
• This trend continued into the early 1990s with bands like Reincidentes, Sr. Chinarro, and vocalist Kiko Veneno. 
• Rap artists like SFDK, Tote King, La Mala Rodriguez, and Dogma Crew are increasingly prevalent in the city’s music scene. Seville’s nightlife reflects the musical diversity of the city.
• The city is also home to several theaters and performance venues where classical music is presented, including the Sala Joaquin Turina, the Real Alcazar Gardens, the Teatro Lope de Vega, the Teatro La Maestranza, and the Teatro Central.
• Despite its name, flamenco—often called the Sevillana dance—is not believed to have Sevillan roots. However, the folk melodies known as sevillanas and the four-part dance with them are Sevillian. A key location in the formation of flamenco was Seville, particularly the western Triana neighborhood.

Seville Spain Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Seville across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Seville. The historical significance of Seville as a center of culture, as the capital of Muslim Spain, and as a hub for Spanish discovery of the New World cannot be overstated.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Seville, Spain Facts
2. Words to Describe 
3. Fact Check
4. Home of the Parties
5. Define that Spanish Word
6. Sketch It!
7. This is Seville, Spain
8. Your Video, My Voice
9. My Bucket List
10. Let’s Make a Sandwiches
11. Clay Art

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Seville located?

Seville is a city located in the southern part of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Andalusia. Situated along the Guadalquivir River, Seville is approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

What is the history of Seville?

Seville has a rich and diverse history that dates back over two millennia. The city was founded as the Roman city of Hispalis in the 2nd century BC and later became an important Roman port. It flourished under Muslim rule from the 8th to the 13th century and was known as Isbiliya. During this period, Seville was a significant cultural and economic center. In the 15th century, after the Reconquista, it became a major hub of trade and exploration during the Age of Discovery. Seville played a crucial role in the colonization of the Americas and became one of the wealthiest cities in Spain.

What are some famous landmarks and attractions in Seville?

Seville is renowned for its stunning architecture, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. Some of its famous attractions include:

• The Alcazar of Seville: A stunning royal palace complex with a mix of architectural styles, including Mudejar, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque.
• Seville Cathedral: The largest Gothic cathedral in the world, built on the site of the former mosque, and home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
• Plaza de España: A grand square featuring a semicircular building with decorative bridges, tiled alcoves representing different Spanish provinces, and a central canal.
• Metropol Parasol: A modern wooden structure known locally as “Las Setas” (the mushrooms) offering panoramic views of the city.
• Barrio Santa Cruz: The old Jewish quarter, known for its narrow streets, charming squares, and historical significance.

What is Seville famous for?

Seville is famous for several things, including its rich history, passionate flamenco dancing, festive traditions like Semana Santa (Holy Week) and Feria de Abril (April Fair), as well as its delicious cuisine. The city’s oranges, tapas culture, and traditional Andalusian architecture also contribute to its fame.

What is the climate like in Seville?

Seville has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Summers can be scorching, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F). Winters are generally mild, with daytime temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). The city experiences limited rainfall, especially during the summer months.

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