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This section is dedicated to providing you with the most complete information regarding life in Sevilla. We want to offer international students the real guide to the city written by people who know the city, not by tour book authors. Sevilla is an amazing place, and can be overwhelming to some. Here, we offer information to ease some of that stress. From information on the people and the culture, to guides to the best bars and restaurants, everything we have compiled has come from our collective personal experiences in the city.
Sevilla is a city whose history is as dynamic as any city in the world. It has existed in some form or another for 2000 years. Roman mythology credits Hercules as the founder of the city. The ancient Roman empire laid claim to two cities in the area during its reign as a world power: Hispalis, what is now considered Sevilla, and the nearby town of Italica. Rome lost power Vandals, who then lost it to the Visigoths in the 5th and 6th centuries.
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of Sevilla as a European city is the fact that it was under Moorish control for 500 years. It was the seat of power for various Caliphates during its tenure as a Moorish city. Muslim influence is fairly pronounced in the city today, which boasts both original Muslim architecture and art, and architecture in the Mudejar style: christian interpretations of classic Muslim architecture. In 1248, the Castilians conquered the city, and put it back under christian rule. It was after this that construction began on the gothic Cathedral of Sevilla. After the discover of the Americas, Sevilla entered into golden age in which it largely controlled trade with the New world. This control extended fairly well into the 16th century, in which Cadiz gained a bit of control over trade.
Today, Sevilla is the fourth-largest city in Spain and capital of the Andalucian province. Today´s city is a reflection of its history, and for this reason, its culture is diverse and complex. We have sought to summarize that as best we can, and have organized everything into categories, found along the left side of the page. We hope you find them informative, and that they make your stay in Sevilla a more enjoyable one. If you don´t find what you need, please feel free to email us, or visit our location near Plaza Nueva.
