What is the Feria de Abril

Asks Pamela

A. The Feria de Abril or April Festival is celebrated in the southern Spanish city of Seville. It is a massive street festival that lasts a week (in the last week of April) and usually follows more solemn celebrations (known as the Semana Santa) around Easter. Traditionally, Sevillanos celebrate the flamenco at this festival and wear polka dot flamenco costumes and party throughout the night beside the river.

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Q. Does Seville recognise any other festivals

A. Easter in general is a big event in Seville and is celebrated with street processions and religious ceremonies. In January, a float based festival takes place called the Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos and in September (in even numbered years) the famous Bienal de Flamenco takes over the city.

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Q. What is Seville like to visit

A. It is a beautiful city that most tourists fall in love with and visit time and again. It has a great intimate feel to it as all the streets are small, cramped and full of cobbles and old buildings. Its architecture is greatly influenced by its 500 years of Moorish occupation (it was one of the first Moorish conquests in AD 712) and it has lots of quaint and beautiful plazas, parks and is well-known for its bullfighting connections, flamenco and is the home of tapas. The city is split in half by its grand river the R�o Guadalquivir, and most places of interest are found on its east bank.

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Q. What are the main tourist sights

A. Some of the main things that shouldn't be missed include the following:

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Plaza de Espa�a and Mar�a Luisa Park: This grand plaza and adjoining park -� about ten minutes walk from the city centre - were initially built for the Fair of the Americas in 1929 (the fair never actually took place because of the infamous Wall Street Crash). The park is a great place to relax, especially during the summer months when temperatures can soar, and is home to the Archaeology Museum (Museo Arqueol�gico) and the Popular Arts Museum (Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares).

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Alc�zar: The alc�zar or fortress dates back to AD 913 and is greatly influenced by the Muslim-ear in which it was built, it also has amazing gardens.

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Archivo de Indias: This is the main archive of the Spanish Empire (which lasted from the 15th to the 19th centuries in the Americas). It is full of artefacts, maps and documents that can only be viewed by prior permission. It contains materials owned by Columbus, Cervantes and Cortes.

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El Centro: The area known as El Centro is literally the heart of the city and is made up of narrow little streets and plazas, the Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Salvador are the best and shouldn't be missed, these are the best places to enjoy a relaxing drink.

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Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza: This is Seville's famous bullring, it is one of the oldest in Spain and can either be visited on an organised tour or in the spring festival season, to watch a bullfight.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. In the Andalucia region in general, and in Seville in particular, summer temperatures can be unbearable, so if you can't stand the heat, avoid visiting in July and August. Spring is the best time to visit, especially as it is the festival season, as the temperatures are mild and warm.

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Q. What is the best way to get around town

A. Bicycle is the most favoured method of transport in Seville, and there are loads of rental outlets dotted around the city. Otherwise, most of the sights can be reached on foot and is probably the best way to soak up the atmosphere of the city. A regular bus service, however, is available if you're lacking in energy.

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Q. Apart from being the home of tapas, is Seville famous for anything else

A. It was also the hometown of Carmen and Don Juan, and is the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.

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By Karen Anderson