Seville, Spain: Exploring The Historic Heart Of Andalusia

Seville, Spain has been one of most important cities in Iberian Peninsula since ancient times first settlers identified with Tartessian culture. Original core in neighbourhood of present-day street Cuesta del Rosario dates to 8th century BC when Seville was on island in Guadalquivir. Destruction of settlement attributed to Carthaginians giving way to emergence of Roman city Hispalis built very near Roman colony of Itálica now Santiponce 9 km northwest present-day Seville. Cathedral Alcazar and Archivo de Indias in Seville are testimony to civilization of Almohads and that of Christian Andalusia.

Spal, Ispal, And Island In Guadalquivir

Town was called Spal or Ispal by Tartessians indigenous pre-Roman Iberian people of Tartessos name given to kingdom by Greeks they controlled Guadalquivir Valley and were important trading partners of neighbouring Phoenician trading colonies on coast which later passed to Carthaginians. Tartessian culture succeeded by that of Turdetani so-called by Romans and Turduli. Archaeological excavations in 1999 found anthropic remains under north wall of Real Alcázar dating to 8th–7th century BC. Reproduction of gold breast piece from El Carambolo treasure displayed in City Hall of Seville reflects early wealth. Ispal advanced in civilisation and culturally enriched by frequent contact with peaceful Phoenician traders.

Commercial colonisation activity changed dramatically in 6th century BC when Carthaginians achieved dominance of western Mediterranean after fall of Phoenician city-states of Canaan to Persian empire. This new phase involved expansion of Punic territory through military conquest later Greek sources impute destruction of Tartessos to Carthaginian military assaults on Seville of Cuesta del Rosario assuming Tartessian at time. Carthaginians caused collapse of Tartessos by 530 BC either by armed conflict or by cutting off Greek trade in support of Phoenician colony of Gades present-day Cádiz. Carthage also besieged and took over Gades at this time. Name Seville originates from Ispal village located on small island in Guadalquivir River. Arabs despite relatively short rule compared to rest of Andalusia adapted Roman name to their phonetic system resulting in name Seville that we use today.

Hispalis And The Ninth Kilometre Colony

During Second Punic War Roman troops under general Scipio Africanus achieved decisive victory in 206 BC over full Carthaginian levy at Ilipa now city of Alcalá del Río near Ispal which resulted in evacuation of Hispania by Punic commanders and successors in southern peninsula. Before returning to Rome Scipio settled contingent of veteran soldiers on hill close to Hispalis but far enough away to deter belligerents and thus founded Itálica first provincial city in which inhabitants had all rights of Roman citizenship 206–205 BC. Two cities had different characters: Hispalis was Hispano-Roman town of craftsmen and regional financial and commercial hub while Italica birthplace of Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian was residential and fully Roman. Hispalis developed into one of foremost market and industrial centres of Hispania Italica remained typically Roman residential city well preserved now important tourist attraction. During period Hispalis was district capital of Hispalense one of four legal convents Conventi iuridici judicial assemblies governors summoned with some frequency in major cities imperial province of Baetica.

Romans Latinised Iberian name city Ispal and called it Hispalis. Although city rebuilt after being pillaged by Carthaginians name Hispalis appeared for first time in Augustan History in 49 BC five years before Julius Caesar granted it status of Roman colony to celebrate his victory over Pompey in 54 BC. Isidore says in his Etymologies XV 1, 71 Hispalim Caesar Iulius condidit quae ex suo et Romae urbis vocabulo Iuliam Romulam nuncupavit. Hispalim autem a situ cognominata est eo quod in solo palustri suffixis in profundo palis locata sit ne lubrico atque instabili fundamento cederet. In English Hispalis was founded by Julius Caesar who named city Julia Romula after himself and city of Rome however cognomen Hispalis is due to its situation as it is built on pilings above marshy ground so as not to yield to sliding unstable foundation. Although etymology not accurate likely city considered untenable as residence by Romans for its instability being built on alluvial soil and frequently threatened by flooding of Guadalquivir River. Reference to foundation pilings confirmed when remains discovered by archaeological excavations in Calle Sierpes where according to historian Antonio Collantes de Teran piles sharpened lower ends regularly driven sandy subsoil obviously served to consolidate foundation. Similar findings at Plaza de San Francisco Salvador Ordóñez Agulla however asserts these pilings are remains of ship piers of river called Baetis in Roman times port.

After discovery of Americas Seville became economic centre of Spanish Empire as port monopolised trans-oceanic trade and Casa de Contratación House of Trade wielded its power opening Golden Age of arts and letters. This 408 mile-long river is Andalusia central artery runs down from mountains in Jaen through Seville and out to Atlantic Ocean via Bay of Cadiz. When New World discovered Seville marked point on river beyond which ships unable to navigate further inland meaning it became key point of contact with new outposts of Spain empire. Harbor chosen by Queen Isabel as it offered security against pirate attacks. Coinciding with Baroque period of European history 17th century Seville represented most brilliant flowering of city culture then began gradual economic and demographic decline as navigation Guadalquivir River became increasingly difficult until finally trade monopoly and institutions transferred to Cádiz. Seville is emblematic city with universal reputation Arab Jewish Roman with its rivers and its port privileged trade destination of Western India. Capital of Andalusia province Seville also biggest of autonomous communities. City revitalised 19th century rapid industrialisation building rail connections as rest Europe artistic literary intellectual Romantic movement found expression here reaction to Industrial Revolution. 20th century saw horrors Spanish Civil War decisive cultural milestones such as Ibero-American Exposition 1929 and Expo'92 and election as capital of Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is Seville Located In Andalusia?

On Guadalquivir River 408 mile-long central artery Jaen through Seville Atlantic via Bay Cadiz island in Guadalquivir original core Cuesta del Rosario 8th century BC capital Autonomous Community Andalusia province biggest autonomous communities emblematic Arab Jewish Roman rivers port privileged trade destination Western India distinct accent unique street layout.

How Old Is Original Core Of Seville?

Original core Cuesta del Rosario dates 8th century BC when Seville island in Guadalquivir anthropic remains under north wall Real Alcazar 8th-7th century BC excavations 1999 town called Spal Ispal by Tartessians indigenous pre-Roman Iberian Tartessos Greeks controlled Guadalquivir Valley trading Phoenician colonies coast passed Carthaginians succeeded Turdetani Turduli gold breast piece El Carambolo treasure displayed City Hall.

How Did Romans Create Hispalis Near Italica?

Second Punic War Scipio Africanus victory 206 BC over Carthaginian levy at Ilipa now Alcala del Rio near Ispal evacuation Hispania settled veteran soldiers hill close Hispalis deterring belligerents founded Italica first provincial city inhabitants rights Roman citizenship 206-205 BC birthplace Trajan Hadrian well preserved tourist Santiponce 9 km northwest Seville. Hispalis Hispano-Roman craftsmen regional financial commercial hub district capital Hispalense one of four legal convents Conventi iuridici Baetica Latinised Ispal Hispalis appeared Augustan History 49 BC Julius Caesar granted status Roman colony Julia Romula 54 BC built walls forum completed 49 BC after Battle Munda 45 BC Cardo Maximus north-south Decumanus Maximus east-west intersection Plaza Alfalfa forum temples baths markets Curia Basilica near Plaza del Salvador Ausonius ranked tenth most important cities Roman Empire pilings above marshy ground Calle Sierpes Plaza San Francisco ship piers Baetis port Moors Mauri invasions mid-2nd century driven Roman archers Christianity 287 Justa Rufina potter sisters patron saints martyred refused wares pagan festival smashed Venus Salambo.

Why Does Seville Have Alcazar Cathedral Giralda?

Cathedral Alcazar Archivo de Indias UNESCO testimony civilization Almohads Christian Andalusia Alcazar used palace both Muslim Christian rulers heart Seville. Giralda iconic bell tower Seville Cathedral originally minaret main mosque deep Islamic roots. Muslim general Musa bin Nusayr commanded Tariq ibn Ziyad invade 711 army 9000 Battle Guadalete Visigothic king Roderic killed Musa landed 712 18000 veteran Arabs took Medina-Sidonia Carmona Abd al-Aziz took Hispalis 712 after long siege capital al-Andalus until assassination 716 Umayyad Caliphate Roman Hispalis changed Arabic Išbīliya Ishbiliya Ixbilia Muwallads Mozarabs richly complex culture Almohad took 1147 Torre del Oro 13th century built Almohad dynasty Almoravides oppressive 1133 welcome Alfonso VII rebellion Visigothic Hispalis Spali royal court Amalaric Theudis Theudigisel assassinated Supper Candles 549 Leander Isidore brothers canonised saints Etymologies twenty books knowledge Greco-Roman.

How Did Seville Become Port Of Americas?

After discovery Americas economic centre Spanish Empire port monopolised trans-oceanic trade Casa de Contratacion House Trade power Golden Age arts letters 408 mile river central artery marked point beyond which ships unable navigate inland key point contact new outposts empire harbor chosen Queen Isabel security against pirate attacks Baroque 17th century most brilliant flowering culture then gradual economic demographic decline navigation Guadalquivir difficult trade monopoly transferred Cadiz Late Middle Ages port colony active Genoese merchants peripheral important European trade Black Death 1348 anti-Jewish revolt 1391 resettled Castilian aristocracy capital kingdom vote Cortes itinerant court Ferdinand III interred cathedral revitalised 19th century rapid industrialisation rail Romantic reaction Industrial Revolution Ibero-American Exposition 1929 Expo92 20th century Spanish Civil War capital Autonomous Community Andalusia.

Seville endures because it stayed on island even when river moved. From Spal trading with Phoenicians to Hispalis built on pilings above marsh to Išbīliya capital 712 and Alcazar where Giralda began as minaret to port that held Casa de Contratación, each layer kept previous foundation literally underfoot in Calle Sierpes. Pearl of Andalusia remains pearl because Guadalquivir still forces decision where ships stop and cultures meet.