Santiponce

Located in the province of Seville, in the region of Aljarafe, Santiponce is one of the Andalusian municipalities that stands out the most for its historical and cultural heritage.

Within the municipal area, several remains from the Prehistory and Ancient Age have been found. Above all, the site of Itálica stands out, considered the first Roman city on the peninsula. It was founded by Scipio Africanus in the 3rd century BC and was the birthplace of emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Today, this site attracts global attention for remains such as the monumental amphitheatre (which held 25,000 people) or the theatre. In fact, different shoots like the Game of Thrones series have taken place in what's left of the amphitheatre. Other points of interest include the baths, the House of Neptune, the House of the Rhodian Courtyard, the House of Hylas, the House of the Birds, the Traianeum and the House of the Planetarium. Undoubtedly, it is a reference point in the study of Roman life on the peninsula. Every year, its number of visitors increases significantly, reaffirming the well-deserved interest in the place.

Beyond Itálica, Santiponce offers other corners of great heritage value. Such is the case of the Monastery of San Isidoro del Campo. This building was commissioned in 1301 by the well-known Guzmán el Bueno, a military man and noble from León. A general analysis of the architectural style shows the predominance of Gothic and Mudejar styles. The work carried out by the Jaen native Juan Martínez Montañés is noteworthy. In the 17th century, he created a spectacular altarpiece for the Church, along with a beautiful Virgin holding the child in her arms for the Reserved Chapel and a crucifix. The Monastery is recognised as the first monument to achieve the title of Historic-Artistic Site of national interest in the province of Seville, in April 1872. Without a doubt, this monument reflects the passage of time since the 14th century, being part of various stories. For instance, it housed the remains of Hernán Cortés for a period until their transfer to Mexico. It is also known for the large library it supposedly held.

As we can see, the heritage hosted by Santiponce is truly remarkable, unique on a global level. Beyond that, it is a reference point in Seville and Andalusia for its cuisine and various festivities like Aljarafe's Stations of the Cross.