Church of the Divine Saviour

In front of you is the beautiful Baroque Church of the Divine Saviour. It’s the second-largest church in Seville, after the cathedral. If you’re only planning to visit one other church in the city, make it this one. While there is an entrance fee, it’s well worth it. If you’ve already bought a ticket for the cathedral and the Giralda, you’re in luck: entry to this church is included. So, step inside and admire the richly decorated Baroque murals. Its history is just as impressive as its interior. The church was built on the site of Seville’s first mosque, dating back to the 9th century, which itself was built over the ruins of an ancient Roman basilica. In 1248, the Catholics converted the mosque into a collegiate church. But by 1671, the building was in such poor condition that it was mostly torn down. The church you see today was rebuilt in 1674. The only surviving elements of the original mosque are the ablutions courtyard and the base of the minaret—now serving as the church’s bell tower. The main façade is a later addition from the 19th century. The church underwent a full restoration in 2008 and has been listed as a Spanish National Heritage Site since 1985.