The walk begins at
[1] The Palacio de las Dueñas. You may initially be put off by the entrance, which looks like a parking lot, but inside the gates is a wonderful example of a typical Andalusian
casa grande with its ceramic tiles, whitewashed walls, fountains and extensive formal gardens. This, along with the Casa de Pilatos (see Santa Catalina walk), is one of the top sights of Seville.
Follow the trail along Calle Bustos Tavera to
[2] Iglesia de San Marcos. Note the Giralda-like tower as well as the decoration on the Gothic portal on Plaza de San Marcos. Look inside the church for a statue of St Mark with book and quill pen. In the plaza at the back of the church is the
[3] Convento de Santa Isabel. Founded in 1490, it became a church in the early 17th century and then a women's prison in the 19th century.
A block to the East is the
[4] Convento de Santa Paula
. Seville has many enclosed religious complexes, but few are accessible. This is one of them, a convent set up in 1475 and still home to 40
Hieronymite nuns. The public is welcome to enter through two different doors in the Calle Santa Paula. According to
Andalaucia.com, knock on the brown one, marked number 11, to look at the convent museum where the nuns make a phenomenal range of marmalades and jams. You may also enter the nearby convent church, reached by crossing a meditative garden. Its portal combines Gothic arches, Mudejar brick work, and Renaissance medallions and ceramics. Inside, note the elaborate wooden roof and statues of St John the Evangelist and St John the Baptist.
Now retrace your steps then follow the winding back streets to
[5] Iglesia de San Julian, a Gothic-Mudéjar church with a beautiful 18th century altarpieces, wooden ceiling and sculptures. In the centre is a sculpture of “Virgin with the Boy”, flanked by two ceramic altarpieces, one of the “Virgin of the Hiniesta” and the other of the “Good Death”. Overlooking the main altarpiece is Castillo Lastrucci's “Our Lady of Glorious Hiniesta” flanked by linen hangings of "La Immaculada" on the right, and “Santa Beatriz de Silva” on the left.
About 200 metres to the West is
[6] Iglesia de Santa Marina. This Gothic-Mudéjar church was built in the early 14th century. (The Gothic-Mudéjar style refers to the 14th century Moorish influenced architecture which can be seen in many of the churches built after the 1356 earthquake.) The sculptures in the front door depict God (as Father) and the three Saints: Santa Marina, Santa Margarita and Santa Barbara.
The last stop is
[7] Iglesia de San Luis. This is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in the city, impressive for both its dimensions and sculptures. The land on which the church is located was donated on the condition that the church be consecrated to the French king, Louis XVI, hence its name. Designed in the first part of the 18th century, the church is in the shape of a Greek cross overlooked by a magnificent dome. Inside, a wide range of materials was used including different types of wood, stained glass, painted glass, mirrors, gilding, rope, brass, silver and other metal inserts. See if you can see, on the roof beside the towers, the statues of each of the four apostles. The church is open to visitors, but as with most churches, tours should be avoided during times of mass.
The walk ends by returning via Calle Inocentes to
[8] Plaza los Maldonados, where you find the very pleasant
El Gato Azul, for a delicious plate of pasta, pizza or salad.