The Mysterious Plaza del Cabildo in Seville

Plaza del Cabildo is one of Seville's hidden corners that is well worth discovering. Although it sits beside the Cathedral, many visitors overlook it. Yet it has a special atmosphere, with fascinating stories and details for anyone curious about this square.

The square has three small passageway entrances: one from Avenida de la Constitución, another from Calle Almirantazgo and the third from Calle Arfe. It lies in El Arenal, within the historic centre. The site formerly housed the Colegio de San Miguel, which belonged to the Cathedral Chapter, or cabildo, and was demolished in the 20th century. That is where the square gets its name.

An interesting detail is the plaque installed in 1935 in honour of the celebrated goldsmith Juan de Arfe, marking the fourth centenary of his birth. Nearby Calle Almirantazgo, one of the city's historic streets, adds to the appeal of the location.

This unusual semicircular square was designed by architect Joaquín Barquín y Barón. Its most striking features are the arcades, decorated with frescoes by Seville painter José Palomar, and the marble columns supporting them. Plants, a central marble fountain and a roughly 50-metre section of Seville's old city wall complete the setting, creating a peaceful atmosphere steeped in history. Photographs of Plaza del Cabildo capture the character and beauty of this distinctive space.

Interestingly, the original design included an opening that would have offered a direct view of the Cathedral's impressive Puerta de la Asunción, but this feature was never built. Even so, Plaza del Cabildo remains a beautiful historic corner to discover on foot while exploring central Seville.

Every Sunday morning, the square becomes a lively market for coin and stamp enthusiasts. Collectors come here for stamps, old coins, banknotes, medals, minerals and even military badges. It is easy to lose yourself among these little treasures.

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You can find more old photographs of Seville in our Facebook group, including images of charming Plaza del Cabildo.

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