Plaza de España, Sevilla

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Spain's Square (Plaza de España) is a place full of symbols at each small part. This semicircular square represents all that Spain is, not just with the provinces (see my other tip and my travelogues) but with its kings and main discovers, writers, artists, etc. These persons are represented in medallions between each arch. There are four gates and four bridges representing the four former kingdoms which founded Spain as one country more than 500 years ago. There are representation of kings from these kingdoms in its gates. All the tiles are under reconstruction right now, but the restoration is been respectful with the original. You can see lots of references to the Hispano-American Fair of 1929, in which this square was the Spanish pavilion.

La Plaza de España es un lugar lleno de simbología en cada parte de ella. Esta plaza semicircular representa todo lo que és España, no sólo sus provincias (ver mi otro "tip" y mis "travelogues") sino con sus reyes y sus principales descubridores, escritores, artistas, etc. Estas personas están representadas en medallones entre cada arco. Hay cuatro puertas y cuatro puentes representando los antiguos cuatro reinos que fundaron España como un único país hace más de 500 años. Hay representaciones de reyes de estos reinos en sus puertas. Todos los azulejos están siendo restaurados ahora, pero esta obra está respetando todos los criterios originales. Puedes ver múltiples referencias a la Exposición Ibero-Americana de 1929, para la cual esta plaza fue el pabellón español.

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Created between 1914 and 1929 for the great Iberoamerican Exposition held in 1929 to commemorate Seville's historic contacts with the Americas. All of the Spanish speaking countries were represented there, as was the U.S.A.
The PLAZA DE ESPANA is a long semi-circular building, flanked on both sides by spectacular towers. In the center of the Plaza is a wonderful fountain.
All along the front of the building were 58 tiled benches representing the different Spanish provinces and location in Spain on a tiled map. The building mainly houses government offices.
What was most striking to me was the blue and white glazed tile balustrade, complimented by the occasional colourful azulejos , found throughout the Plaza.

Besides the Cathedral and the Giralda, this is the nr 2 tourist spot in Sevilla.
One can easily understand, because the plaza is indeed worthwile! It forms half a circle with therein 58 different benches, representing the different Spanish provinces.
The plaza is flanked by 2 spectacular towers and a bordering lake and in the middle of the square, you can sit down near the big fountain.

Plaza de España was built in 1929 and is said to be one of the most impressive public spaces in Spain. It consists of a crescent form building with a tower on each end, built around a large space with fountains and a "canal". It was a bit of a pity that when we were there last October, the place was in the middle of a renovation, so part of the area was filled with fences.

Plaza de España was created between 1914 and 1929 for the Fair of the Americas and is
adjoining the Maria Luisa Park. The long semi circulair building mainly houses government offices. It was the place where the ceremony of inauguration of the exhibition in 1929 took place in the prence of His Majesty the King Alfonso XIII.

The building is telling the history of Spain.
The semicircular form (200 meters in diameter) symbolizes the hug of Spain and its old colonies. It looks towards the west, the way to follow towards America. The moat is crossed by 4 bridges representing the 4 old kingdoms of Spain. The two towers at both end of the building are representing the two kings who brought Spain together.

The tilework mainly in the benches against the facade is telling stories of Spains provincies in history.

More pictures can be found in our travelogue.

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Plaza de Espana was designed by a famous Spanish architect, Anibal Gonzalez, in Renaissance and Gothic style. I was surprised it was built as recently as 1929. It is an immense, gorgeous combination of buildings, fountain, exquisite mosaic design plazas, canal (which was empty when we were there), bridges and beautiful glazed tile artwork. Originally built for the Ibero-American Expo, it now houses government offices.

The semi-circle of mostly brick buildings partially surround a large fountain. Against the buildings, also in a semi-circle in alphabetical order are artistic glazed tile presentations featuring every province and major city in Spain. We enjoyed walking around and looking at all the places we had been and had yet to go.

The weather was hot - over 100 degrees F! We were delighted to find a stand at the entrance selling frozen lemonade.

In 1929 Seville hosted the Spanish-American Exhibition. A number of buildings were built for the exhibition in the Maria Luisa Park; on the parks edge was built the current Plaza de Espana, which, at the time, showcased Spain's industry and technology exhibits.

It was constructed in a semi-circle around a large square with a large fountain located in the center. Set against the lower half of the building are 50 tiled benches symbolizing Spain's 50 provinces. Every bench has a central pictorial panel depicting a significant historical event from each province. One can easily spend hours here just walking around the courtyard. The buildings now contain government offices.

When the "Lucas movie team" was looking for a place that reflected the 'Royal planet of Naboo', they visited a number of sites around the world but as soon as they saw the monumental architecture of the "Plaza de Espana" they didn't have to look any further.

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This famous square was made for the "Ibero-American Exposition 1929" and is located in the center of "Maria-Luisa-Park", forming a semi-circle around an artificial lake. Its use in an early Stars Wars film was what first attracted me to visiting Seville and one of the main sights I just had to see. Despite some building restoration work going on - which meant canlal boats could not be hired and some of the tiled mosaics of the provinces of Spain were screened off - this place just fascinated me and I could have spent hours here.