The Cathedral of Seville was built in the 15th and 16th century in Gothic style on the grounds of the former major Arab mosque. It is the largest place of worship in Spain, and the third largest cathedral in the Christian world. Enter the building from Alemanes street through the Puerta del Perdón into the Patio de los Naranjos. You will find there a PILA of the 5th century BC. Then climb up to the Giralda tower, which was the minaret of the 12th century Moslem mosque. Its Christian bell fry was added by Hernán Ruiz in 1568. From there you can oversee large parts of Seville: To the North see the Plaza de Franciso with the Town Hall, Salvador church and the Cartuja peninsula of the Expo1992 with the Alamillo and Barqueta bridges. To the East you will see Mateos Gago street leading into the Santa Cruz quarter. To the South, the Alcazar is to your left, the Indian archive to your right, and the Maria Luisa park with the towers of the Plaza de España in the background. To the West, there is the Bullring and Isabel II bridge, which leads to the Triana quarter. Then go down and visit the huge Interior of the Cathedral. It contains a large collection of artwork: paintings of Murillo and Zurbarán, goldsmithery of Juan de Arfe, amongst others. On the way out you pass the supposed Tomb of Christopher Columbus. >> Continue the Sightseeing Tour: Have a last overview of the Cathedral from the Plaza de los Reyes and go up Mateos Gago street into the (2) Santa Cruz quarter. Santa Cruz church of Seville was originally located at the Plaza de Santa Cruz. It was destroyed by the French in 1811 and therefore moved to the former church of the Clérigos Regulares Menores del Espíritu Santo, where it is located today. The building of the church started in 1665 by the architect José Tirado in Baroque style. The church was completed in 1728. Santa Cruz church has been strongly renovated in 1840, and later the Façade of Mateos Gago street in 1929. If you want to to get an idea of the original building, enter from Ximénez de Enciso street through a tiny Patio. Artwork: - Stmo. Cristo de las Misericordias (christ) by Pedro Roldán from between 1670 and 1682 - altar of Sta. Ana by Bernardo Simón de Pineda from 1672, painted by Valdés Leal - painting of Niño Jesús del Sagrario by Valdés Leal - sculpture of Sta. Ana by Pedro Roldán The church is located in the famous Barrio de Santa Cruz, which was once the "new" Jewish quarter of Seville. Its actual appearance with typical Sevillian style patios, Narrow Streets and Picturesque Plazas dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Leave the Santa Cruz quarter through the Judería street which opens into the Patio de las Banderas of the (3) Alcazar. The Christian monarchs, Alfonso X and Pedro I employed Moorish craftsmen to build the Real Alcazar of Seville in the 14th century. The Palace of Pedro I is considered to be the most complete example of this so-called Mudéjar architecture in Spain. However, a few remains still lie from the former Islamic palace, Patio del Yeso, from before the Christian Reconquest. Enter through the Puerta del León into the Patio de la Montería, which derived its name from the scouts (monteros), who accompanied the king in its hunting parties. Passing through the vast galleries and halls decorated in tiles and Mudéjar ceilings you reach the Patio de las Doncellas, which is the main courtyard. The Hall of the Kings, the Hall of Charles V and the Hall of the Embassadors all open to this patio. The latter is the most important room in the Alcazar. It is covered in metal mirrors which reflect the light of the whole hall. The tour ends with a visit to the Gardens, in which a curious blend of different gardening styles (Arab, French and Renaissance style) can be admired. From the same age as the oldest parts of the Alcazar, is also another of Seville's best-known monuments, the (4) Torre del Oro.