The history of Sevilla is extremely fascinating. Sevilla is the capital of Andalucía, a region in southern Spain with a unique blend of people, cultures and religions. Throughout all the research and facts one thing remained constant and that was the agreement of several great eras and centuries of contribution through influence. Sevilla is the historical land it is today because of all of the distinct cultures that left their traces. Sevilla possesses an unbeatable legacy of Roman, Moorish, Jewish and Christian treasures. The Romans governed the region for over six centuries and changed the face of the town with aqueducts, buildings and roads.
Comprising the earliest part of Sevilla’s history, the Phoenicians were the first to recognize the potential of its excellent riverside location, the lucrative port first flourished under the Romans, and the Visigoths oversaw the city’s flourishing as a major cultural center. The Guadalquivir River became both a river port and a bridge between the Atlantic Ocean and the hinterland of Andalusia. Sevilla has also been a crossroads between the Northeast and West of the Iberian Peninsula.
Even as far back as the beginnings of the first millennium B.C. the area of Sevilla was destined to become the great market place of the Guadalquivir Valley. The original Sevilla was born where the river became no longer navigable for seagoing ships. Archaeological excavations undertaken in La Cuesta del Rosario confirm that the first permanent settlements date back to the 9th century.
The Muslims can also claim to have established the land of Sevilla. The Muslim civilization had the most impact on the city. Their reign lasted for nearly 8 centuries from 711 until the catholic monarchs took over in 1492. Some of the city's most magnificent buildings stand as a legacy to this era. The exotic architecture dominating much of Sevilla is just one of the traces left behind by the Muslim culture that conquered the Visigoths and ruled the city. They bestowed upon Sevilla a new name, Ishbiliya, and unrivaled splendor as they converted it into the most important city of al-Andalus, the Islamic kingdom that sprawled across southern Spain. Muslim rule, while it lasted for centuries on end, did eventually fall to the 13th century’s reconquista. The conquering King Fernando III recognized the vast possibilities of the reacquired city and within one century it rose to become the cosmopolitan hub of Christian Spain. For the two centuries after Columbus discovered America, Sevilla achieved its greatest glory, becoming the hub of all trade and the gateway from Europe to America and becoming one of the richest cities in Spain. Many aristocrats, painters, sculptors, writers and architects have left their mark in the city, which can be seen in the magnificent monuments, churches, art galleries and museums around the city.
Sevilla’s intrinsic charm became a magnet for people of all walks of life and it remains as such today. Unfortunately, like many good things Sevilla’s prosperity did not last forever. During the 17th and 18th centuries, a streak of bad luck, devastating plagues, and the emergence of nearby Cádiz as the new “Port of the Indies” spiraled Sevilla into a decline that would last until the 20th century.
The unwavering optimism natural to every sevillano survived the centuries of struggle and hope rose with the 1929 Latin-American Exposition in Sevilla. Beautiful buildings once again sprang up, lush parks sprawled across the land, and droves of tourists reveled in the tranquil beauty of their beloved Sevilla. Progress was put on a long-term hiatus with the onset of the Spanish Civil War, after which Spain fell under the 35-year repressive dictatorship of Francisco Franco. In Sevilla, historic buildings were torn down while others fell helplessly into ruin. Following Franco’s 1975 death, the proud and ever-passionate sevillanos have brought their city back up to its deserving glory. Old buildings have been and are being restored to their former splendor, tourism is hopping, and Sevilla is once again the cultural leader that it was always destined to be.
Another great piece of mythical history that caught my attention was the honor that analyst give to the mythical hero Hercules. It is said that he marked the city limits of Seville with six columns so that Julius Caesar could make his “discovery”. The Roman general called the new city “Iulia Romula Hispalis”. Some Sevillians hold their belief in this mythical idea and even celebrate a popular verse: “Raised by Hercules, Julius Caesar fortified me, with high walls and towers, I was conquered for the king of heaven by Garcí Pérez de Vargas.” So great was the admiration felt by Renaissance Seville towards her mythical founders that their statues, specially sculpted by Diego Pasquera, were placed on two granite pillars with Corinthian capitals in the newly created promenade, Alameda de Hércules, where they can still be admired. Incidentally, the two columns were removed from the ruins of a Roman temple in calle Mármoles where two sister columns remain.
No comments:
Post a Comment