Seville, Spain is the country's southernmost capital. It is in the region know colloquially as 'Andalusia.' Just mountain ranges away from the Straits of Gibraltar and Morocco. Cities so smack-gab filled with culture and sights to see, are quite difficult to dissect; to make recommendations for.

However, Seville has for centuries been the focus and melting spot of religious, societal and technological influences. Trades of ideas have streamed through this city on the Mediterranean, like no other in Europe. Call it the southern, continental, gateway to mainland Europe. Arabs invaded here. Christians repulsed Arabs here.

Here are several sights, you must not overlook on your visit to Seville:

1) The Cathedral of Seville 


(inside: Christopher Columbus' tomb) was built for almost one hundred and fifteen years during the Reconquest of Spain from the Arabs. It is built on the site of a mosque. Be sure to take note of the heavy-laden, particularly Gothic, architecture and the gardens in its midst. Interior includes ramps instead of stairs, so speakers and religious figure heads could ride to their podium.

2) Museum of Fine Arts of Seville has arguably one of the most breathtaking arrangements of the Sevillian Baroque-period school of art. Exhibits also include some faraway masterpieces of Flemish and northern European influences, like those of masters: Rubens and Durer. Mainly it is Spanish in context, though. The front door of the museum is part of a former convent.

3) Puente de Triana over the Guadalquivir river is a mild place to relax at the end of the day; when pedestrians amble from their jobs, or make their way to the city's nightlife in La Alameda or La Alfalfa. Stop for some pictures on the Triana bridge. Enjoy the Spanish sunset.

4) The Plaza de Espana is imposing, any way you take a look at it. It was erected for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, before the Depression. Known throughout the world as an example of detailed Renaissance Revival and classical Spanish architectural modeling. Make sure to visit its many gardens, ponds and rivers. On numerous occasions, major studio-films have been filmed here.

5) Spanish bull fight. Do not come to Seville and not see a bull fight. Bull fights in the heat of the southern Spanish regions in the spring, are different than elsewhere. Bustling, sand-flung, noisy agony are a testimony to the religious and cultural spirit of the South of Spain. Best times to go are in April (when the festivals begin in Seville) after 'Semana Santa'- the holy week before Easter.