Alameda de Hércules, Seville

Alameda de Hércules is a garden square and public promenade, created in 1574 when a drained, waterlogged area became a planted urban garden. The name refers to the eight lines of white poplars occupying the garden’s central area, which is regarded as Spain’s and Europe’s oldest public garden. At the southern end, Roman columns carry sculptures of Hercules and Julius Caesar.

The columns came from an ancient building on Mármoles Street, while the statues were made by Diego de Pesquera. Hercules represents the mythical founder of Seville; Julius Caesar stands for the Roman restorer of the city. At the northern end, later columns support lions bearing the shields of Spain and Seville.

This place has had a dramatic life. During the Great Plague of 1649, flooding became so severe that boats crossed the square. In the late nineteenth century, theatres and kiosks made it a fashionable meeting place; after a long decline, redevelopment completed in 2008 restored trees, fountains and the promenade. Today, La Alameda is one of Seville’s main nightlife areas, with music, restaurants, tapas bars and cafés woven into the public garden.