SEVILLE, se-vu' (Sp. Sevilla, sit-veflyn). The capital of the province and of the former kingdom of Seville, in ndalusia, Spain, ated on the left bank of the Guadalquivir, 53 miles north-northeast of Cadiz, and 75 miles southwest of Cordova (Map: Spain. C 4). Al though the city lies 60 miles from the month of the river, the tide ascends 12 miles above it. Large portions of it lie below- the high-water level of the river, with the result that the eitv has frequently suffered from disastrous inundations. The climate is delightful, though the summers are very warm. The surrounding plain is ex ceedingly fertile and well cultivated. The city was formerly surrounded by a high wall, por tions of which still remain. There is a wide and open strip of embankment along the river, and the latter is crossed by three bridges, one a rail road bridge, to the suburb of Barrio de Triana.
The city itself is a labyrinth of narrow, wind ing streets and lanes; it still preserves its old Moorish aspect, and the Moorish style of con struction is seen here more characteristically, perhaps, than in any other Spanish city. The houses are generally of two stories and inclose the areaded patio in the centre, Large sections of the city, however, especially the northern and western parts, have been encroached on by straight and regular streets. The principal squares within the city are the Alameda de Her cules in the north, adorned with statues and several rows of trees; the Plaza de San Fer nando, faced by the city hall; and the Plaza del Triunfo in the south, on which stand three of the most interesting buildings in the city, the cathedral, the Aleazar, and the Casa Lonja, or exchange.
The Cathedral of Seville is one of the largest and grandest Gothic structures in existence. It eras begun in 1402 on the site of the old Moorish mosque which had formerly served as cathedral, and parts of which still remain as the Patio de los .Naranjos or Orange Court. It measures 380 by 250 feet ; the nave is 53 feet wide and 132 feet high. It contains a wealth of art treasures. In 1832 restorations were begun, as the vaulting had been weakened by earthquakes, hut in 1388 the entire dome collapsed, destroying a great part of the interior. Adjacent to the cathedral
and forming a part of the old mosque stands the remarkable tower of La Giralda, perhaps the most beautiful building in the city. It is a square tower 330 feet high, the upper 100 feet being a belfry and dome added in the sixteenth century. The top is surmounted by a bronze statue of Faith, 13 feet high, which moves in the wind like a vane (giralda). The Alc5zar was the palace of the Moorish kings and later of the Spanish sovereigns. it originally included the now isolated Torre de Oro, which stands on the river bank, and contains several beautiful patios almost rivaling those of the Alhambra. Other interesting buildings in the city are the Casa de Pilatos; the magnificent Moorishlienaissanee palace of the Duke of Medinaceli; the Palacio de Santelmo, situated among the parks near the river; the immense FAbrica de Tabaeos, covering more than 6 acres; the bull ring, which is the largest in Spain next to that of Madrid and capable of seating, 12.000 spectators.
The edneational astahlishments inelude a uni versity founded in 1502, with faculties of law, philosophy. and science, a medical faculty situ ated at Cadiz, and about 1400 students. There are also a provincial school of art, the Seminary of Saint Francis Xavier, an institute for secondary education, a normal school, numerous minor acad emies, and the provincial library with 30,000 volumes. In the cathedral is installed the valu able Columbian Library of 30,000 volumes, formed by Fernando Colon, son of the discoverer, and including manuscripts of Columbus. The Indian archives, a collection of documents relating to the discoveries of the Indies, are installed in the Casa Lonja. and the city has also an interesting collection of municipal arehives and a museum of archwology. The :Museum of Paintings con tains the largest and best collection of Murillo, who was born in Seville, and whose house is still to be seen there. A number of his works are also scattered through the various churches of the city. Among the charitable establishments the most notable is the Hospital Civil or de las Cinco Llagos, one of the largest in Europe.