The central city of Andalusia, bustling with bullfighting and flamenco
Seville, the capital of the Andalusia region in Spain, is the birthplace of bullfighting and flamenco, and a representative tourist city of Spain. With a population of 700,000, it ranks as the fourth largest city in Spain and has long served as the political, economic, and cultural center of southern Spain.
Located about 70 km inland from the Mediterranean coast in the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula, the city is traversed by the Guadalquivir River, which means “great river” in Arabic.
Seville’s history is very ancient, having flourished as a city since the Roman era. In the 8th century, it came under the control of the Islamic Empire. Over the centuries, it has experienced repeated invasions and mergers, with various cultures and ideas blending together. During the Age of Exploration, from the mid-15th to the 17th century, Seville is said to have made significant contributions to the export of agricultural products and industrial goods and to have developed greatly as a port city.
Even today, Seville is a city of great economic importance, with new industrial parks and business areas being continuously developed. In terms of tourism, landmarks such as the Seville Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace, and the Archives of the Indies are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The beautifully tiled Plaza de España is also famous. According to some guidebooks, Seville has even been ranked as the number one city to visit in the world.
Although Seville is located at a latitude of 37°, which is the same as Niigata Prefecture in Japan, the city’s Mediterranean climate causes summers to be very hot and dry, while winters are mild with increased rainfall. It is often considered one of the warmest cities in Europe.
The Seville Cathedral, boasting the third-largest size in the world
In the heart of Seville stands the Seville Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, the cathedral is the largest Gothic-style cathedral in Spain and is considered one of the three largest in the world, following the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
It is said that the cathedral was built on the site of a mosque that existed during the period of Islamic rule. The concept behind its construction was to create a cathedral so grand that it would be considered unimaginable by future generations. As a result, this massive cathedral was built on an overwhelming scale. Many tourists constantly form long lines outside, eager to catch a glimpse of its awe-inspiring interior.
Upon entering, one can immediately see the tomb of Christopher Columbus (the “floating coffin”), a symbol of the Age of Exploration. Inside the chapels, there are many altars, each displaying collections of religious paintings, chalices, and other artifacts.
In terms of the overall impression of the space, despite the grand scale of the building, the windows are small, and it feels like the natural light entering the interior is limited. Given that Andalusia, where Seville is located, is known for its hot climate and intense sunlight throughout the year, it’s possible that the restriction of light entering the interior helps maintain a cooler environment inside. The reflections of light from stained glass windows, occasionally seen illuminating the floors and walls, created a striking accent that left a lasting impression.
Although the natural light that enters the interior is limited, the high vaulted ceilings are illuminated by lighting that enhances the sense of brightness, creating an open and expansive feeling within the space. Spotlights, likely placed at the four corners of the vaulted ceiling, direct light toward the center of the vault. The color temperature also varies in different areas; the lighting grows brighter and shifts from a warm, incandescent-like 2500K near the ceiling to a cooler white light as it moves toward the central altar.
The main altar features the “Golden Reredos,” which depicts important scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The lighting that illuminates the golden panels uses a warmer light, similar to incandescent lighting with a color temperature below 2500K, enhancing the golden glow and making it deeper. By using a distinct light from the surrounding areas, a sense of special emphasis is created.
As the entire building is a historic monument, it can be considered an exhibit in itself. Therefore, the lighting techniques used throughout the cathedral are highly focused on highlighting the architectural details and the collection of paintings. However, careful attention has also been given to ensuring that the lighting fixtures themselves are unobtrusive, preserving the atmosphere of the space while providing just enough light for visitors to move around comfortably.
In a time before artificial lighting, people likely relied on torches and the little natural light that came through the small windows to navigate inside this vast cathedral. While we cannot witness this today, imagining what that scene might have looked like is truly fascinating.
The beautifully arranged lighting that illuminates Seville at night
Walking through Seville at night, I was struck by how much more advanced the city’s lighting infrastructure was than I had imagined, creating a completely different atmosphere from the daytime.
On the main streets, decorative streetlights are beautifully arranged along the tram tracks, providing a continuous, soft illumination that gently lights up the entire city. The multiple floating lights visible in perspective were particularly striking, and the surrounding bright light creates a safe environment for pedestrians to walk through.
The Seville Cathedral, a city landmark, also presented a different side of itself at night with its lighting design. By focusing the light on specific points and creating contrasts, the lighting softens the building, making it blend into the urban landscape as if it were gently emerging from the surroundings. It was noticeable that there were no glaring advertisements or harsh lighting nearby, and the way the nightscape was crafted gave the impression of a carefully designed visual experience
In Seville, you can encounter not only historic buildings but also modern skyscrapers and unique architectural structures. One such example is the Metropol Parasol, with its distinctive mushroom-like shape. Often considered the largest wooden structure in the world, this building was designed by German architect Jürgen Mayer and completed in 2011. Its lighting incorporates color lighting, offering a contrast to the classical image of Seville and allowing visitors to enjoy a completely different architectural experience.
In Seville, you can also witness beautiful illuminated scenes of historic buildings and bridges, such as those in the Triana district along the river.
Seeing how modern lighting technology blends with the historic streetscape of Seville, enhancing its value, makes one realize the significant role lighting design plays in urban planning. This fusion of past and present through light is truly remarkable.
The passionate red that colors the nights of Andalusia!
After walking around night after night in search of unique light landscapes, it’s no surprise that hunger starts to set in. Seeking something to eat, I ventured a bit north of Seville Cathedral and stumbled upon “Argote de Molina Street,” lined with vibrant bars. Not only was the air filled with delicious smells, but nearly the entire street was bathed in a red glow, creating an exciting and lively atmosphere that was truly captivating.
When you think of Spain, it’s all about the passionate red of bullfighting and flamenco! It perfectly captures the essence of Spain and Andalusia, and the lighting certainly matched that image. However, it seems this red lighting isn’t necessarily special to the region itself.
I visited Seville in March, during the winter months, so despite the relatively mild climate, the nights were around 10°C, which felt a bit chilly. Nevertheless, the locals didn’t seem to mind and often ate outdoors, so the red lighting in the bars might have been a way to provide a little warmth and comfort.
Perhaps because single-color red lighting alone can make it difficult to showcase the colors of food attractively, some bars combined red lighting with warm, incandescent lighting from stand lamps to create a better atmosphere for dining.
Due to the slight curve of Argote de Molina Street, you can see the entire street, and the red light spilling from the bar entrances along the way creates a lovely ambiance. I thought it would be wonderful if this Andalusian-style red glow could fill the street all year round.
The image of “red” is deeply ingrained in Spain! Not only did I get to satisfy my hunger, but I also encountered unique lighting scenes, making for a truly memorable time.