Delve into the history of the Cartuja of Seville

General information

Destination
Seville, Spain

Program details

Join this lovely tour and delve into the varied past of the distinctive honey-coloured stone Cartuja de Sevilla (“The Charterhouse”). As you pass through the imposing gates of this former monastery, the history of days gone by will unfold before your eyes. Legend tells that during Moorish times clay was extracted from many caves and tunnels until the Virgin of the Caves appeared to the workers. A shrine was built in her honour and later in the 14th century the Franciscan Monks constructed the monastery we see today. You can admire the beautiful domed church and its many chapels and then take time to wander around the lake and pretty walled garden filled with orange groves and fruit trees and hear how Christopher Columbus stayed here to plan his second voyage of discovery. Learn about how the Monks were sacked from the monastery during the Napoleonic wars, but later returned again. The turbulent history moves forward to 1840 and the now abandoned monastery was bought by the Englishman Carlos Pickard. He converted the monastery into the world famous Catruja ceramics factory, which produced fine porcelain and ceramics during the 19th and 20th centuries. The ceramics factory has now been moved and the Cartuja became the home for Expo 92, in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ first voyage.

Finally relax and reflect on your visit while you enjoy some light refreshment in the delight cafe along the lakeside.

Meeting/pick-up point: Main entrance of the monastery, avda. Americo Vespuccio, s/n.
Duration: Three hours.
Start/opening time: Friday at 5pm. Saturday at 11am and 5pm. Sunday at 11am.
Languages: Spanish.