Seville - City of Culture and History

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Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is Spain's fourth largest city after Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. The founding of Seville is attributed to Hercules. Roman aquaducts are still evident. Arab dominatin began in 712. In 1248, Fernando III conquered Seville for Christendom and Muslims were obliged to leave. Mosques were converted into Catholic churches. In 1482 Queen Isabel expelled the Jews from Seville and the final Muslim stronghold - Granada - being taken in 1492. Many fled to Muslim-ruled Malaga and Granada. Seville became the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition. Today 300 Jews live across the city. The city's cathedral is the third largest in the world after St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's in London. It is currently experiencing a severe drought which is offset by large quantities of underground water.

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