The saying goes that when you leave Seville, the wonderful capital of Andalucía, it does not leave you. Known as Europe's gateway to India, from which Columbus first set sail to the shores of the new world, this mesmerising city boasts remnants of over 500 years of Islamic history. So it isn’t surprising that Seville, once known as "Ishbiliya," has numerous fascinating heritage sites.
Historically known as al-Qasr al -Muriq, the Alcázar of Seville was a Muslim fort that saw many additions built by Christian kings in later years. It is one of the most significant sites of Islamic architecture in Spain and one of the country’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This particular site has been chosen throughout the ages of different civilizations, cultures and dynasties to be the centre of power. As different rulers settled in the palace, it kept expanding gradually throughout the years, and is now a standing monument of Spanish history. This resting place of kings, it hides a collection of fortresses, gardens and palaces behind its fortified walls.
The Giralda, a 90-metre-high historical beacon of magnificence that was once a minaret of the city's mosque and is now the official symbol of Seville, and Terro Del Oro (Tower of Gold), a tower overlooking River Guadalquivir which once had a dome covered with golden tiles, are two other sites worth visiting in Seville.