About Barrio Santa Cruz..

Brimming with old-fashioned charm, the Barrio de Santa Cruz is one of the most charming places to explore in Seville. It was the Judería (Jewish quarter) during the medieval era under Moorish rule when many of the quarter's churches were originally synagogues. The Barrio Santa Cruz contains Seville's three UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites. It is found in between the historic Seville cathedral and the Alcazar of Seville. Outside of the south entrance to the cathedral on the Plaza del Triunfo is the 16th-century Archivo de Indias. 

Explore the timeless beauty of Santa Cruz, one of Seville’s oldest neighborhoods, as you wander its narrow streets and soak up the fragrant smells of its native orange trees. As you continue your walk you’ll stumble upon the exterior of the amazing Alcazar Royal Palace of Seville, time-worn Roman columns, Alfalfa Square, Plaza San Francisco, and much more. This medieval neighborhood is characterized by its labyrinth of cobblestone pedestrian lanes (too narrow for cars), whitewashed houses with attractive patios, and picturesque plazas with outdoor cafés. Many of the quiet courtyards, such as the Plaza Doña Elvira, are planted with fragrant orange trees. The Plaza Santa Cruz features rose beds and a 17th-century wrought-iron cross in the center. At the Plaza Refinadores, visitors will find a statue of Don Juan Tenorio, a famous local literary character. 

The Barrio Santa Cruz has two noteworthy museums: the Centro de Interpretación Judería de Sevilla (Calle Ximenez Encisco 22A), which illustrates the history of the city's Sephardim (Spanish Jews), and the Hospital de Los Venerables Sacerdotes (8 Plaza de Los Venerables), a 17th-century hospital for retired priests, which now houses the Fundación Focus Abengoa collection of Spanish paintings and sculptures. One of the special things to do in Seville is to take a stroll through the Jardines de Murillo, beautiful gardens filled with palm trees, fountains, and colorful tiled benches. For an excellent view of the cathedral, head to the Plaza del Patio de Banderas Lovely small streets to get lost wandering. Pick up a souvenir of your explorations from one of many street vendors in this historic district. Be prepared to stumble across a fabulous small tapas bar around any corner! Get yourself lost here for a couple of hours or so, and you won't regret it.

Must See

  • Discover ancient monuments like Roman columns and Alfalfa Square, a one-time Moorish marketplace
  • Explore Seville's medieval history and Jewish Quarter and walk the narrow streets of Santa Cruz, one of Seville's oldest neighborhoods.
  • The Archivo de Indias is home to an incredible set of archives of the conquest of the Americas. Columbus' log of his voyage is on display as are many maps and documents related to this period of Spain's history
  • This square gives you a great view of the bell tower of the cathedral and is also home to the pretty Convento de la Encarnacion with its white walls and blue-tiled dome. Also on the square is the 18th- century Archbishop's palace
  •   Near to the square is the remarkable Hospital de Los Venerables which was a home for elderly priests. It can be visited to see the frescoes by Juan de Valdes Leal. The ceiling with a fresco of the 'Triumph of the Cross' is particularly impressive. It also has an attractive patio

  • In the neighboring Meson Del Moro, there is a famous restaurant called the 'San Marco' restaurant which is housed in a beautiful 12th century Arab Bath 

  • Enjoy the many plazas, fountains, meandering streets, cafes, and walled gardens.

  • You can find some quaint houses with attractive courtyards, shops selling a variety of souvenirs, clothes, boutiques and the like

How to reach

By Subway:

L1. It takes 14 minutes and costs 1.32 to 1.56 Euros

By Train:

C1, C2

By Bus:

Line 5. It takes 7 minutes and costs 1.41 Euros

By Taxi:

It takes 3 minutes and costs 3.73 to 4.45 Euros

By Walk:

It takes 18 minutes via Calle Sierpes

By Cycle:

It takes 7 minutes via Calle Gravina


Tips

  • One of the most authentic neighbourhoods of Spain, so a good place to discover and explore on foot
  • As well as visiting the streets during the day be sure to visit again on a night when the streets are heaving and the tapas bars overflowing onto the streets. The atmosphere is wonderful and festivities carry on through the night
  • Tight squeeze for cars, but always fun to watch. Be careful when walking and pay attention to traffic
  • There are many streets to explore and an exciting place to actually get lost. Several ceramic boutiques with original local artwork
  • Wander along the labyrinthine cobblestone streets and just savor the sights, sounds, and smells of this amazing neighborhood with beautiful patios, cafes, flower-laden balconies, plazas, and more
  • Google Maps is a struggle due to the narrowness of the streets. But old school maps can be great fun
  • Don't bother with your GPS (Google maps) as the 'streets' are so narrow and the buildings so tall, that satellite access is usually wrong

Visit Time

Sunday:           Open 24 hours

Monday:          Open 24 hours

Tuesday:         Open 24 hours

Wednesday:    Open 24 hours

Thursday:        Open 24 hours

Friday:             Open 24 hours

Saturday:         Open 24 hours

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

No

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

3 to 4 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Moderate Rain 19.85°C

 

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