Thousands of Brits make Spain a primary travel destination every year. Many travel to the coastline or major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, but Seville is seldom-visited. West Ham United fans will have a chance to explore this Southern city ahead of Thursday’s Europa League knockout game – and a look at its history may surprise them.
QUICK FACTS – SPAIN
Population 47,450,000
Language Spanish
Name in Official Language España
Dialling Code +34
Currency Euro/€
WHERE IS SEVILLE?
Seville is the capital city of the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia. It is located on the River Guadalquivir and has a metropolitan population of around 1,500,000 people. The city has taken inspiration from Islamic and Spanish culture over the last few centuries, and Seville became one of the largest cities in Western Europe during the 16th century due to its trade connections.
Modern-day Seville has undergone major investments in transportation, infrastructure, and tourism. It now boasts three UNESCO heritage sites, a new airport terminal, and better highway links to the city. You may see some of these things if you are going to the game.
WHAT CAN I DO THERE?
Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville)
Setas de Sevilla is a large wooden structure containing a restaurant, a market, and a museum. It was opened to the public in 2011 and is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. Construction started in 2005 and was scheduled to finish in 2007, but issues with raw materials and the wood pushed the opening date back. It cost €100,000,000 in total to complete.
Cathedral of Saint Mary (Seville Cathedral)
The Seville Cathedral is the fourth-largest cathedral in the world, as well as the world’s largest Gothic church. It combines renaissance-style architecture with Islamic culture, and its bell tower was inspired by the design of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech, Morocco. Famous Spaniards and key figures of the Renaissance period are buried in the cathedral, namely Christopher Columbus and his son.
Plaza de España
Seville’s main square is one of the city’s most popular attractions. It was initially built to showcase Spain’s industrial and technological achievements, but it is now a popular place for people to hang out or to learn about Andalusia’s culture. The pavilion buildings are open to tourists and are a main point of interest within the plaza, and there are water fountains and lakes nearby for you to cool off in the heat.
WHAT IS THE STADIUM LIKE?
Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán (Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium)
The stadium is named after a former club president. It was opened in 1955 and underwent restoration work in 1996 and 2007, and there are also are plans to increase the stadium’s capacity from 42,000 to 47,000. The stadium is the perfect place for Spain’s national team to play – it has never lost an international game when it has played in Seville!
How To Get There
The stadium has two nearby metro stations: Nervión and Gran Plaza. Both are situated on the yellow line of Seville’s metro system and are within a short walk from the stadium. Nervión, however, is the closest of the two and is directly across the street from the venue. Gran Plaza is five streets North of the ground.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE I GO?
Carry Photo I.D.
It is advised that you carry some form of photo I.D. on you at all times. Police officers may ask to see identification, and you can be detained if you fail to do so. You can be held in police custody until your identity is confirmed. Moreover, refusing to cooperate with a police officer is considered a criminal offence in Spain.
Dress Appropriately
This rule means more than what you might think. It is illegal in Spain to wear only swim shorts in a public place, even if the weather is warm. It is also against the law to walk around topless in some areas. You can be fined if you break this rule.
Take A Siesta
Siestas are short breaks that are taken during the early afternoon to rest and to eat. You will often see that shops close between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M. to allow for a short period of rest. You may have to take a break in the afternoon, and Spanish people take siestas very seriously.