Heritage of monuments
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The province of Seville gives testimony to the civilisations and cultures that were attracted by its wealth and beauty and came to leave evidence of their time here and to write its history. The coexistence of eras and empires, together with the blend of styles, make its ample heritage a treasure trove of monuments and art. Prehistoric sites, Roman cities, Arabic forts, medieval castles, monasteries, mosques, churches and more create a legacy that the towns here provide to the delight of visitors.
1 day. Écija
If your stay is to be short, it is essential to discover the beautiful city of a thousand names, Écija. Known as Astagi in times of Roman imperial power, today it is called "The City of Towers" due to the slender baroque bell towers that rise from its grey and pink roof tiles. "The City of the Sun", or "The Frying Pan of Spain", is an expression that clearly indicates its high summer temperatures.
Once in Écija, you can spend the morning visiting the Towers of the old Concepción convent, better known as "Las Gemelas" ("The Twins"). The Towers by the building’s doorway, both from the 18th century, are baroque in style and are the last architectural testimony to the old convent. Later, taking a quiet stroll, you’ll come to the Plaza Mayor, located near the old Roman forum. This magnificent plaza is a display of monuments: churches and baroque viewpoints. In the nearby streets, you can see very beautiful noble mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries. Particularly noteworthy is the spectacular Peñaflor Palace, located in the historical street of Calle de los Caballeros. It was built in the mid-18th century and was declared a Historical-Artistic Monument in 1962.
By around two o’clock, it will be easy to find one of the numerous excellent restaurants to try the great wealth of gastronomy and specialities in the area: wild asparagus, espinacas labradas (a marinated spinach dish), sopa de gato (a vegetarian soup), flamenquín (ham and pork roll) or the delicious gazpacho from Écija. Nor can we forget the "el Ecijano" yemas (sweet confectionery), a special dessert. For more information look in the Where to eat section.
In the afternoon, avoiding the hottest hours of the day, you can visit the Historic Monuments Museum. Here, there is a notable collection of prehistoric metal pieces, the three stelas of warriors, the "Plaque of Écija" (a unique piece of Tartessian precious metalwork), splendid Roman mosaics, sculptures such as the "Wounded Amazon", and the interesting collection of inscriptions, capitals, mosaics and objects for domestic use from the times of Romans and Moors.
You can end the day by enjoying a pleasant walk around the charming streets or tasting delicious tapas in one of the bars in the centre. If you spend the night in Écija, look at the Where to sleep section.
