t Riding a traditional swing ride at the Isla Mágica theme park
t Riding a traditional swing ride at the Isla Mágica theme park
Opened in 1997, the popular Isla Mágica theme park occupies part of the Isla de la Cartuja, the island that was redeveloped for Expo ’92. Elsewhere on the island are PCT Cartuja and the Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas.
Isla Mágica recreates the exploits of the explorers who set out from Seville in the 16th century on voyages of discovery to the New World. The first of its six zones is Seville, Port of the Indies, followed by the Gateway to the Americas, the Pirate’s Lair, the Fountain of Youth, El Dorado and Amazonia. The Jaguar is the most thrilling ride for visitors – a roller coaster hurtling at 85 km/h (53 mph) along its looping course, but head also for the Anaconda, a flume ride, the Orinoco Rapids, on which small boats are buffeted in swirling water, and El Desafío (“The Challenge”), a spectacular 68-m (223-ft) freefall tower designed as a minaret. There are terrific views from the top before the stomach-churning drop. The Fountain of Youth is designed for children, with carousels and fighting pirates.
For an additional fee, Agua Mágica offers four zones of water-based fun. Playa Quetzal has a large swimming pool with simulated waves and a beach; Isla de Tobagones is a maze of waterslides; Río Lento features a slow-moving river that visitors can float down; and Mini Paraiso has a pool and smaller slides aimed at younger children. Shows in the park include street performances and dance, as well as IMAX cinema screenings. Check the Isla Mágica website for up-to-date information on shows and times.
Isla Mágica’s most popular attraction, the Jaguar, was the first inverted roller coaster in Spain.
The Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja is a science and technology park that occupies the western side of the Expo ’92 site. Visitors can walk along Calle Leonardo da Vinci and the service roads for close-up views of some of Expo ’92’s most spectacular pavilions. These striking buildings are, however, now part of the Andalucían World Trade Centre and belong to public and private companies, and as such are closed to visitors. Groups of buildings south and east of the Parque Alamillo are part of Seville University, which has links with PCT Cartuja. To its south lie the gardens surrounding the ancient Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas, which now houses a contemporary art museum.
This modern cultural centre sponsored by the CaixaBank financial group offers a smorgasbord of entertainments, including exhibitions, events, films, workshops, talks, storytelling, poetry readings, concerts and other activities. It is located below the shopping centre at the base of the 40-storey Torre Sevilla skyscraper, which is owned by CaixaBank, who sponsor the complex.
The complex has two expansive exhibition areas, an amphitheatre with seating for up to 273 guests, two multi-use halls, a zone for children’s activities, a gift shop with an excellent selection of art and design books and a restaurant with al fresco dining available. The exhibitions change four times a year, and focus on La Caixa’s collection of contemporary art. Within these exhibitions are activities for children, based on the theme of the current displays. This is the eighth CaixaForum in the country, and the third largest, at over 8,000 sq m (86,000 sq ft), hosting some 1,200 events per year. Visit on a Sunday and complete your experience with the curated menu in the restaurant, offering select dishes from the region from which the current featured artist hails. There are dizzying upward views of the Torre Sevilla from the restaurant terrace.
t CaixaForum’s entrance, designed by Guillermo Vázquez Consuegra
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t The Monasterio de Santa María de las Cuevas
This huge complex, built by the Carthusian monks in the 15th century, is closely tied to Seville’s history. Columbus stayed and worked here, and even lay buried in the crypt of the church, Capilla Santa Ana, from 1507 to 1542. The Carthusians lived here until 1836 and commissioned some of the finest works of the Seville School, including masterpieces by Zurbarán and Montañés, now in the Museo de Bellas Artes.
In 1841 Charles Pickman, a British industrialist, built a ceramics factory on the site. After decades of successful business, production ceased in 1980 and the monastery was restored as a central exhibit for Expo ’92.
Don’t miss the Capilla de Afuera by the main gate, and the Casa Prioral, which has an exhibition of the restoration. There is a Mudéjar cloister, made of marble and brick. The chapter house has a number of tombstones of rich patrons of the monastery.
The monastery also houses the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, which features contemporary art exhibitions as part of the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo. The centre’s permanent collection is mostly by 20th-century Andalucían artists, while its temporary exhibitions include paintings, photographs, installations, sculpture, digital art and performance art by international artists.
t Its alabaster tombs
Insider Tip
Visit the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo on a Sunday morning. After contemplating the thought-provoking works, get your groove on to live jazz at the museum’s outdoor café.
One of the first churches built in Seville after the reconquista, Santa Ana was founded in 1276 but has been much remodelled over the centuries. Today it is a focal point for the residents and cofradias (the religious brotherhoods) of the Triana district.
The vaulting of the nave is similar to that of Burgos Cathedral, suggesting that the same architect worked on both. The west end of the nave has a 16th-century retablo, richly carved by Alejo Fernández. In the baptistry is the Pila de los Gitanos, or Romani Font, which is believed to pass on the gift of flamenco song to the children of the faithful.
The Church of Our Lady of O, built in the late 17th century, has a belfry decorated with locally made azulejos. Inside, Baroque sculptures include a Virgin and Child with silver haloes, attributed to Duque Cornejo, in the far chapel to the left as you enter. On the other side of the high altar is a fine group by Pedro Roldán depicting St Anne, St Joachim and Mary, the Virgin; a Jesus of Nazareth bearing his cross in the main chapel is by the same sculptor.
The church is on Calle de Castilla, whose name comes from the notorious castle in Triana where the Inquisition had its headquarters from the 16th century. The castle now houses the Museo de la Inquisición.
⌂ Plaza del Altozano s/n § 955 47 02 55 # 11am–6pm Tue–Sat, 10am–3pm Sat & Sun
Located on the southern edge of La Cartuja, the Torre Sevilla towers over the Guadalquivir river and commands superb views. Designed by Argentinian architect César Pelli, this 40-storey, 180-m (590-ft) tower was the subject of much controversy while in its planning stages and UNESCO voted against its construction, due to its obstruction of the skyline. The Eurostars five-star hotel occupies the top 12 storeys; the remaining floors are used as commercial office and retail space.
For a good view of the tower itself, visit the adjacent shopping centre’s garden roof.
t The Torre Sevilla (Seville Tower), the tallest building in Andalucía
EXPERIENCE Across the River
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