Velázquez’s house was built between 1560 and 1570, and is one of the oldest and best known houses in Seville. In Velázquez’s time, Seville was a city of enormous wealth, a centre of trade in the New World, a very important ecclesiastical seat, a cradle of the great religious painters of the century and a keeper of its art.
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History of the Velázquez’s Birth House
In 1598 Velázquez’s parents, Juan Rodriguez de Silva and Geronima Velázquez, moved in. A year later an artist who would conquer Spain with his art, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez, was born. The house remained a popular dwelling for the next 4 centuries until the 1970s, when it was acquired by Sevillian entrepreneurs who, after a renovation, converted it into an M11 art gallery, where many artists were able to exhibit their works, such as Antonio Saura and Luis Gordillo.
In 1984, Velazquez’s house was bought by two famous Sevillian couturiers, Victorio and Lucchino, who converted it into their workshop until 2010.
Finally, in 2018, the writer and cultural manager Enrique Bocanegra and the engineer Enrique Piñeyro acquired the house with the aim of conserving it and opening it to the public as Velázquez’s Birthplace. It will become an interpretation centre dedicated to the life of the author and his works.
Work is currently underway on this spectacular project for the enjoyment of Sevillians and visitors alike. Velázquez’s birth house is located in the historic centre of Seville, on Padre Luis Maria Llop Street, one of the most important streets in the old Moorish quarter. The house consists of 580 square metres spread over two courtyards, each with their respective fountains. Under the second courtyard there is a cistern, possibly of Moorish origin. It has two floors connected with a total of 12 rooms.
How to get there?
It is located in the historic centre of Seville:
- Just 10 minutes from Santa justa station by car along Juan Antonio Cavestany street.
- 13 minutes by metro.
- Or 21 minutes from the station on Gonzalo Bilbao street on foot.
- There is also the option of renting a bicycle and going along Juan Antonio Cavestany street.
Is it necessary to book in advance?
To visit the Casa Natal Velázquez it is necessary to book a place through the website but you will have to wait as it is currently undergoing restoration, the project will take two months to be completed, the aim is to convert Velázquez’s home into an interpretation centre dedicated to his life, work and times, as other geniuses of European culture have. The entire organisation leading the project is very committed to it and is working tirelessly, as it is an almost unique example of popular Sevillian architecture from the Golden Century.
The Casa Natal Velázquez Museum is very close to opening its doors to the public, so we recommend that you book your guided tours well in advance. For more information visit the website www.casanatalvelazquez.com or contact by e-mail director@casanatalvelazquez.com
What hotels are there near the Casa Natal Velazquez?
Very close to the property we can find a variety of hotels such as:
- Rental Sevilla Historic House: offers accommodation with free WiFi 700 metres from Santa Maria La Blanca Church, less than 1 km from La Giralda and Seville Cathedral and a 13-minute walk from Alcazar Palace. It is 2.2 km from Plaza de Armas Square and 2.7 km from Plaza de España Square and just 0.2 km from Velazquez’s Birthplace (Miguel Cid, 71, 41002 Seville).
- The Boutike Guesthouse: this simple hostel is a classic building. It’s 5-minutes walking from Casa de Pilatos (a palace of artistic interest), a 9-minutes walking from Seville Cathedral and 4 km from Isla Magica amusement park and 0.3 km from Casa Natal Velazquez. The sparse private rooms include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Superior rooms feature classic-style furnishings and are tastefully decorated. The mixed dormitories sleep up to 8 people and have bunk beds, desks and lockers. Bathrooms are private (Calle Sales y Ferré, 18, 41004 Seville).
- Unuk Hotel, our rooms are spacious, equipped with the latest in technology and comfort for the maximum comfort, as well as everything necessary for your enjoyment: room service, coffee maker, complimentary bottle of water…Some of them even have a private balcony or terrace, just 0.3 km from the Casa Natal Velazquez.
What restaurants are there near the Casa Natal Velázquez?
- Bache San Pedro: is the second gastronomic bet of Ale Alcántara. You can taste tapas based on Cadiz cuisine and ingredients from other cultures, resulting in delicious dishes. 0.3 km from the Casa Natal Velázquez (Plaza Cristo de Burgos, 23, 41003 Seville).
- Recoveco Restaurant: spacious, cosy and warm for a dynamic sensory experience. Refurbished with respect for the traditional Sevillian architecture and suitable for a lunch or dinner where the tranquillity in the enjoyment of the food and the professional attention is the protagonist. Just 0.4 of the Casa Natal Velázquez (corner of Calle Ortiz de Zúñiga, Calle Morería, 8, 41004 Seville).
- Los Coloniales: tapas and Spanish recipes in a busy Andalusian mesón with painted tiles, wooden cupboards and terrace, just 0.6 km from the Casa Natal Velázquez (Plaza Cristo de Burgos, 19, 41003 Seville).
If you are passing near the Casa Natal de Velázquez you should not miss the following guided tours: