Tour the home of Seville’s government, a gorgeous renaissance structure built on the remains of a monastery and lavishly decorated inside and out.
Explore the chambers and halls of Seville Town Hall, a 16th-century building with a richly ornamented façade. This impressive structure is also known as the Casa Consistorial and serves as the seat of the local government.
Make the most of your visit to Seville Town Hall by taking one of the guided tours. Although these are conducted in Spanish, join one to see artworks that are hundreds of years old and to admire elaborately decorated rooms.
Before entering the town hall contemplate the majesty of the Plateresque-style façade facing the Plaza de San Francisco. It is decorated with reliefs of mythical, religious and historical figures. Among the statues adorning the exterior is one of Hercules, the legendary founder of the city. The main neoclassical façade faces Plaza Nueva and is not as exuberantly ornamented.
Walk inside the building to begin your tour. Visit the lower chapter room which has a ceiling composed of stone carvings of more than 30 kings and queens of Spain. There are also several reliefs that illustrate virtues such as justice.
Go up the grand staircase to the upper rooms including the Sala de Consistorio which has a gilded coffered ceiling. Inspect works of art such as The Defeat of the Saracens by 17th-century Spanish baroque painter Juan de Valdés Leal and a painting of Justa and Rufina. These 3rd-century martyrs are the patron saints of Seville.
Another town hall highlight is Columbus Hall, also known as Bourbon Hall, because it is decorated with portraits of Spanish Bourbon rulers.
Seville Town Hall sits on both the Plaza de San Francisco and the Plaza Nueva in Seville’s historical center, a short walk north of the cathedral. Guided tours are conducted every day except Fridays and Sundays. Tickets for Seville Town Hall tours are half price for retired persons. Admission is free for Seville residents, disabled persons and accompanied children under the age of 16. If you want to save money visit on Saturdays when admission is free for everyone.
