Seville
The capital of the southern Andalucia region, Seville is one of the most beautiful cities and largest historical centers in Europe. Seville was founded as the Roman city of Hispalis and after the discovery of the Americas, it became one of the economic centers of the Spanish Empire. Coinciding with the Baroque period of European history, the 17th century in Seville represented the most brilliant flowering of the city´s culture. The barrio de Santa Cruz is the most picturesque and delightful neighborhoods, with narrow winding cobbled streets and whitewashed houses; it was formerly the Jewish quarter. The main sights are the Cathedral and Giralda, formerly a minaret (mosque´s tower), the Alcázar (royal fortified palace), the Torre del Oro built by the Almohad dynasty as watchtower and defensive barrier on the river, Parque Maria Luisa and its magnificent bullring Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza.