It is a center of Spanish art, architecture, literature, education, and science. The city stands along the Guadalquivir River. Seville is said to have more special character than any other Spanish city. Roses bloom the year around. Moorish fountains adorn patios and plazas.
Gardens are fragrant with palms, olives, and orange trees.
Although much of Seville is modern, its old quarters still retain a picturesque Moorish atmosphere. Balconies on whitewashed old houses overhang narrow, twisting, cobblestone streets. On festival days these avenues are filled with colorfully costumed dancers, who swirl to the click of castanets. Some of the color, gaiety, and music of Seville has been captured by four popular operas. These are Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville', Bizet's 'Carmen', and Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' and 'Don Giovanni'.