The Columnas de Hércules, Seville, Bezoekersgids & wat te doen in de buurt

The Columnas de Hércules are a pair of ancient Roman columns that stand at the southern end of the Alameda de Hércules, a long tree-lined promenade in the Casco Antiguo of Seville. The Alameda dates from 1574 and is often described as the oldest public garden in Europe, and today it is one of the liveliest social spaces in the city.

The story behind it

The Alameda was laid out in 1574 as a garden promenade, a place for Sevillanos to stroll, sit and be seen. The Roman columns that give it its name were brought here from an ancient temple in the city and set up as monuments, topped with statues of Hercules and Julius Caesar. Local tradition links both figures to the founding of Seville.

By the late 19th century the Alameda was a fashionable meeting place for the upper classes. After the Civil War it declined and became one of the poorest parts of the city, troubled by prostitution and drugs. In recent years the area has been redeveloped, and the promenade is now busy with cafes, bars and people from all over the city.

One of the best local legends belongs to the Casa de las Sirenas, a small palace on the Alameda. It is named after two bronze mermaids on pedestals by its front door. Stories say that residents heard murmurs, knocks and footsteps with no one there, and that a ghost of a member of a family who lived there still haunts it. The building is now a civic center run by the City Hall.

What to look for

• The two tall Roman columns at the entrance to the promenade, each crowned with a statue, which are the reason the place is called Hércules.
• The two bronze mermaids on pedestals at the door of the Casa de las Sirenas, which gave the house its name.
• The long, wide, shaded promenade itself, which still follows the layout of the 16th-century garden.
• The mix of old facades, street art, terraces and small venues along both sides, which shows how much the neighbourhood has changed.

Tips for your visit

• The Alameda is an open public space, so you can walk through it at any time. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to see the columns and the Casa de las Sirenas, or longer if you stop for a drink.
• Late afternoon and evening are the liveliest times, when the terraces fill up. Mornings are calmer if you want to look at the details.
• The Casa de las Sirenas is a civic center, so check current opening hours if you hope to see inside.
• The Alameda is a short walk from Calle Feria and the streets of the Macarena side of the old town, so it combines well with a wider stroll.

See it on a quest

Seville Old Town: The Inheritance is a self-guided walk through the old town that passes the Columnas de Hércules as one stop on a longer route. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle based on what you can see in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group, and you can start whenever you like.

Off The Beaten Path Seville: Tales And Legends suits the Alameda well, since this is a corner of the city full of stories. You reach the area on foot as part of a route away from the main crowds, hear about each place as you get there and solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.