PLAZA DE ESPAÑA
The Sevillian architect Aníbal González is responsible for this beautiful square, designed for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.
It is surely one of the most spectacular squares in Andalusia and Spain and the architectural masterpiece of the María Luisa gardens. It must be said that the square in the northeast of the park is impressive with its gigantic hemicycle of 200 meters in diameter. Designed by the architect Aníbal González, it was built between 1914 and 1928 to coincide with the opening of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 and to be inaugurated by His Majesty Alfonso XIII of Spain, in person. It consists of an impressive central palace of mixed styles (neo-Renaissance, Gothic and Mudejar) with numerous bas-reliefs, built in brick, marble and decorated with beautiful painted ceramics (azulejos) and twenty-four eagles with the coat of arms of King Charles V. Its high arcades dominate the busts of illustrious Spaniards and its two long wings house a series of benches and ornaments symbolizing, in alphabetical order, 48 of the 50 provinces of Spain, with the coats of arms of the capitals and historical frescos. The square is surrounded by a canal that passes under four bridges representing the four ancient kingdoms of Spain, Castile, Leon, Navarre and Aragon, which can be crossed by boat, motorboat for the less athletic and rowing for others. In summer, we recommend you to come in the cool of the morning or late afternoon... to really appreciate this place which was the setting of scenes of great movies like Lawrence of Arabia or Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Spectacles de flamenco sur place très souvent.
A visiter tranquillement et profiter du parc alentours.