Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: Séville

Metropol Parasol is a wooden structure, designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer-Hermann and was completed in April 2011. The innovative structure is made from bonded timber with a polyurethane coating. With its dimensions of 150 by 70 metres and a height of 26 metres it is considered being the largest timber-framed structure in the world. The Metropol Parasol is popularly known as ‘Las Setas’ (the Mushrooms). The structure consists of six parasols in the form of giant mushrooms. The panoramic terraces and a short rooftop promenade offer visitors one of the best views of Sevilla.

Iglesia del Salvador (Salvador Church) is built on the remains of the 9th century Ibn Adabbas Mosque, the main mosque of Sevilla. When Christians conquered Seville, they allowed initially use as a mosque, but in 1340 it was converted into the parish church of Salvador, which lasted till 1671, when the building was quite deteriorated. Construction of the present church started in 1674 and was fished in 1712. It has a basic structure with three naves and is the second largest church of Sevilla, after the cathedral. The main altarpiece (PiP) from late 18th century is an absolute highlight in the exuberant interior of the church; it is considered to be one of the most monumental and representative works of the baroque style in Sevilla. The plaza in front of the church, Plaza del Salvador, provides a popular meeting place and destination for both locals and visitors.

Plaza de España is located in the Parque de María Luisa. It is one of the architectural landmarks of Sevilla. The semi-circular building was built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and was the central office. Architect Aníbal González mixed a style inspired by the renaissance with typical elements from the city: exposed brick, ceramics and wrought iron. Plaza de España has a diametre of 200 metres and is flanked by two tall towers (PiP 1). In front of the building, following the curve of its façade, is a 500-metre canal crossed by four bridges, representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain Along the wall of the main building are 58 alcoves with benches, one for each province of Spain, each with a relevant tableau and map, all designed on colourful tiles (PiP 2 and 3).

‘La Catedral de Sevilla’ (or ofiicially‘Catedral de Santa María de la Sede’) has a lenght of 126 metres and a width of 83 metres. Its maximum height in the centre of the transept is 37 metres. The total surface of the building is 23.500 square metres. Measured by area Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral and the third-largest church all over the world. The cathedral is built on the site of Seville’s main mosque. This Almohad Mosque was consecrated as a cathedral in the year of 1248. The construction of thee Gothic cathedral began in 1434 and was finished early 16th century. Seville's cathedral was built to demonstrate the power and wealth of the city after the Reconquista. The huge interior of the cathedral, with a central nave and four side aisles, is richly decorated. It also contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus. In the center of the church is the choir (main picture), which has elaborate 15th-century choir stalls. Seville Cathedral was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.

The Real Alcázar Palace has the largest late-medieval garden in Europe, offering one of the most beautiful examples of royal Spanish palace grounds. The garden is an original representation of the typical Mudéjar style, a Muslim artistic expression adapted by the Christian world. Glazed and unglazed tiles and many features, like water channels, glittering pools, fountains and water spouts give this green oasis a special character. During the 16th century - when Seville was the richest city in Spain - changes were made. The old garden spaces survived, but Charles V's designers were influenced by Renaissance styles when making a large labyrinth and a fine pavilion. A new garden was made in the early 20th century. Nowadays the large garden area is divided into several separate parts in all kinds of styles, like French, Italian and Arabic. The garden of Real Alcázar has more than 170 different species of plants and trees, like palm, cypress, myrtle, mulberries, magnolia, orange, almond and lemon trees.

The Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville): details of the sumptuous decorations.

The Real Alcázar de Sevilla (Royal Alcázar of Seville) was originally a Moorish fort. The palace is renowned as one of the most beautiful in Spain and is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe, being used by King Juan Carlos when he visits Seville. The Real Alcazár was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. The Real Alcázar is built on the site of a Roman fort. The first Caliph of Andalusia ordered in the 10th century the construction of a castle, which later changed into a fortified palace. When Ferdinand III of Castile regained the city on the Moors in 1248, the Alcazar became the royal palace. Most of the present buildings were constructed after 1364, when King Pedro the Cruel commissioned the construction of a new palace The numerous rooms, patios and halls vary in architectural styles in the mudejar style, but it has also islamic, gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical elements. Picture(s): the Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the Maidens) is the main courtyard of the palace. This was the center of public life in the palace. The patio is named after the ladies (doncellas) who spent much of their time here.