Tourist and holiday information for Spain including concerts, gigs & shows. Catedral de Sevilla and Giralda TowerAv. de la Constitución s/n
City Seville
The Giralda standing tall on its Roman base began to be built in 1184, once the Almohad mmosque had been completed, and was finished in 1197. A row of balconies covered by ' wide hanging arches' give the minaret light.. The most abundant decoration used is sebka (lenghts of rhombus-pattern meshes in brick, adhered to the walls); over this runs a horizontal strip of blind arches resting on a column. Up to the 14th century, the tower ended in three enormous apples of gilded metal, placed in order of diminishing size. A total of 35 interior ramps lead to the end of the minaret.In 1588, Hernan Ruiz built the belfry in accordance with the renaissance trends of the timje. This was topped by 'el Giraldillo', a statue of faith. The tower measures 93 metres. It is solid and spiky like no other. Back
The cathedral in Seville is known as 'Magna Hispalensis' for its beauty and size.. It has five naves, plus two side naves for chapels, with a flat head wall and central apse.A large part of the roof is no more than plain keel vaults, except for some stretches of the transept. In 1464, Lorenzo Mercadente produced the 'Bautismo and Naciemiento' entrances of the main front in polychrome terracotta; they are the buildings most brilliant works of sculpture. In the High Chapel, the main features are the 'iron screen' created by friar Francisco de de Salamanca. Also the huge altarpiece which was begun in 1482,designed by Pedro Dancart and carved by Jorge Fernandez. It includes more than a thousand figures.In the 'choir' the most impressive features are the stalls themselves carved in ebony in the 15th century.
The Royal Chapel is located in the apse and there is seated 'Virgen de los Reyes' ( virgin of the kings) a 13th century Gothic work. The embalmed body of St. Ferdinand rests at the foot of the altar. It is a space of great Renaissance beauty much of it designed by Hernan Ruiz in 1557. In 1458 Lorenzo Mercadante sculpted the tomb for cardinal Cevantes in the San Hermenegildo chapelin a naturalist style. The San Pedro Chapel has a beautiful altar piece by Zurbaran. The design of the main sacristy is by Diego de Siloe. In the Calices sacristy the most famous Crucificado by Martinez Montanes is venerated. ( a work of genius in a trance of inspiration). The chapter house is 'one the capital spaces of 16c European architecture' for its elliptical floor plan, the oval vault the effects of the light and axes of symmetry. The patio de los narangos (courtyard of orange trees) has doors coated in bronze and a central fountain. The Archivo General de Indias was designed by Juan de Herrera and commissioned by Philip II.Charles III adapted the plans for an archive of all documents relating to America.
Seville Spring fair Seville Fiestas & Folklore Seville Semana Santa Seville Arts & Culture Seville Tourism Seville SICAB Horse Fair
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