Are you planning to visit Andalusia, and more specifically Seville, a city of unparalleled beauty? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Spanish Steps!
Standing majestically on the banks of the Guadalquivir, Seville is the cultural heart of Andalusia. The city’s charm lies in the many faces it reveals, but also in its warm atmosphere. If you decide to visit Seville, you won’t want to miss the Spanish Steps, undoubtedly one of the city’s most spectacular landmarks.
The Spanish Steps
Seville’s Plaza de España is one of the region’s best-known and most spectacular architectural landmarks. Designed by architect Anibal Gonzalez, it was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition held in Seville in 1929. Work began in 1914 and was completed in 1928. Architect Gonzalez designed the plaza not only to impress other exhibitors and visitors from Spain and Latin America, but also to showcase Seville’s talents in industry and craftsmanship.
Known the world over, its semi-elliptical shape, with a diameter of 200 meters and a surface area of 50,000 square meters (about five soccer pitches), symbolizes Spain’s embrace of its former colonies, and looks towards the Guadalquivir River as the way to America.
For the record, Seville’s Spanish Steps have been used as the backdrop for a number of famous films, including Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, The Dictator starring Sacha Baron Cohen and The Lion and the Wind, starring Sean Connery.
What to see in the Place d’Espagne
The central palace: The square features a large central palace. This brick edifice, a blend of neo-Renaissance, Gothic and Mudejar, is the very epitome of regional architecture, decorated with ceramics, woodwork, wrought iron and sculpted marble… A pure marvel! The palace comprises a central building and two wings at the end of which rises an 80-metre tower. All along the walls, you’ll find benches representing all the Spanish provinces. Each province has its own map, the coat of arms of its capital and mosaics recounting points in their history.
The canal: A 515-meter-long canal runs alongside the palace, making it ideal for boat trips. This is why some call the square « the Venice of Seville ». Four majestic bridges embellished with ceramics representing the ancient kingdoms of Spain – Castile, Leon, Aragon and Navarre – cross the canal, linking the palace to the center of the square.
The central fountain: In the middle of the square stands the fountain designed by Vicente Traver. This fountain has been called into question several times, as it breaks with the idea of an empty square.
Maria Luisa Park: Nearby Maria Luisa Park is Seville’s largest park and well worth a visit. Typically Andalusian in style, with its lush vegetation, palm trees and ceramic ponds, it’s the ideal place if you’re looking for a nice, quiet stroll. It lies between the Spanish Steps and the Guadalquivir River.
How to get to the Place d’Espagne?
Plaza de España is a little off the center of town, inside Maria Luisa Park, next to Avenida Isabella La Catolica. To get to Plaza de España, you can walk from the center in less than 30 minutes. The easiest way is to take the streetcar from Plaza Nueva to the Prado de San Sebastian stop. This takes about 10 min. by streetcar + 10 min. on foot.
Tips for visiting the Spanish Steps
As you know, summer in Andalusia can be extremely hot. We recommend visiting the Spanish Steps in the cool of the morning or late afternoon.
The building is now occupied by the central government of Andalusia and the Capitainerie Générale Militaire du Sud, but you can still take a stroll on the first-floor balconies to enjoy the view.
Access to the square is free of charge. However, to prevent acts of vandalism, the square is closed from 10:00 pm onwards, so don’t forget!
Don’t wait any longer! Head for Seville, for a wild holiday under the Iberian sun.