There is no doubt that Seville has a special colour, it is a city bathed by the Guadalquivir river that shines in every corner. Among them, the Plaza del Cabildo stands out, which after the grandiose Plaza de España, is the most recognised square by the Sevillians.
The Plaza del Cabildo is a place that has its own essence and where you can breathe pure tranquillity, despite being located in the heart of the old quarter of the Andalusian capital. Although it is a little hidden from tourists, it is a charming and beautiful square, perfect for getting to know a little more about the city of Seville. Numerous restaurants and collectors’ shops are located in the surrounding area. It is also a delightful place to visit at night.
This square is one of the obligatory stops if you are visiting Seville, so if you want to know more about the charms of this little Sevillian square, don’t go anywhere else, we’ll tell you all about it!
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History of the Plaza del Cabildo in Seville
The Plaza del Cabildo is a small semicircular square in the centre of Seville, located in the Arenal neighbourhood, next to the Cathedral of Seville.
The square and the building itself were built on the site of the former college of San Miguel, owned by the Cabildo of the Cathedral, which is where the square got its current name of Plaza del Cabildo. But it was in the middle of the 20th century, around 1950, when the school was demolished. Today, only the façade facing the Avenida de la Constitución and some of the columns that were used in the square remain.
The frescoed arcades on the ground floor are the work of the Sevillian painter José Palomar, and are set on marble columns. It is also a building designed by the architect Joaquín Barquín Barrón, in which Seville’s Moorish past is present, as the straight side of the square is occupied by a piece of the Almohad interior wall built in 1184, which came from the Alcazaba.
Come and take a closer look at its history!
What to see in the Plaza del Cabildo square
In this semicircular square there is a fountain in the centre. On its curved side there is a three-storey building: the first two floors have wide balconies and numerous arcades supported by marble columns, making the ground floor like a gallery.
The building has a central façade and numerous shops specialising in numismatics, philately and antiques, as well as other restoration shops, including a shop selling all kinds of sweets made in the convents of Seville. On the far right there is a plaque honouring and commemorating the great goldsmith Juan del Arce. On the straight side of the square is the 50-metre Almohad wall, which comes from the Alcazaba.
It is a place where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and enjoy a sweet made with the love of the Sevillian nuns, while you enjoy the peaceful sound of the fountain. Are you going to let this opportunity pass you by?
Sunday market in Plaza del Cabildo square
The only time of the week when this square loses its tranquillity is every Sunday morning, as the square is occupied by a flea market until around lunchtime. This market is known as the Collectors’ Market and has been held here in the Plaza del Cabildo since 1997. Previously this market took place in the Placita de Santa Marta.
Every Sunday of the year the square is filled with numerous stalls selling philately, numismatics and collectors’ items. Among them we can highlight stalls with a wide variety of products such as coins, stamps, banknotes, small antiques, stickers, postcards, watches, minerals and insects, among others. This market has a close and familiar atmosphere, and is a meeting point for collectors who wish to exchange stickers or other objects of different types.
If you are a collector, this is the ideal place for you.
Prices and opening hours
This square has very long opening hours. From Monday to Saturday the square opens at 10:00 in the morning and closes at 23:30 at night. On Sundays, due to the collectors’ market, the square’s opening hours are slightly modified, opening at 09:00 in the morning and closing at 23:30 at night. Once night falls, the Plaza del Cabildo closes its gates with bars.
Access to the square is completely free, there is no fixed price for it. It is open to anyone who wishes to enter its beautiful interior and enjoy the magnificent elements that make it up. The same happens on Sundays for the street market, as the entrance to the square is also free.
What better way to see such an incredible square in the heart of Seville?
How to get to the Plaza del Cabildo in Seville
The Plaza del Cabildo is located in the heart of the old quarter of Seville. To get there we recommend the following lines. If you go by bus you can take lines 03, 05, 21, EA, M-152. If you go by train you can take the lines C1 or C4. Finally, if you decide to go by metro you can take line L1.
The square has three entrances through which you can access it: the front door, which is in front of the wall and gives access to Calle Almirantazgo and Postigo del Aceite; a side door with access to Calle Arfes; and another side door with access to Avenida de la Constitución. All of them go unnoticed, but if you look inside you will see the wonderful square where you will find a peaceful and quiet space, the only thing you will hear is the permanent murmur of the water of its fountain.
Don’t miss this charming square that will captivate you with its tranquillity and beauty, as well as being one of the few peaceful spots you’ll find in the city of light.
Enjoy a guided tour of the Alcázar of Seville with Oway Tours.
