Barrio de La Macarena
The district around the Basilica de la Macarena, once one of Spain’s poorest slums, is now an appealing blend of working-class tradition and hipster creativity. Its cobbled streets feature quirky cafés and vintage clothing shops alongside traditional bars and lots of churches.
The district is named after the 17th-century statue of the Virgen de la Macarena, a key figure in the Holy Week processions. She wears five emerald brooches, a gift from the legendary bullfighter Joselito. When he died in the ring in 1920, she dressed in black for the following Semana Santa. You can visit the basilica and its museum at Calle Bécquer, 1 (tel. 95-490-18-00). Admission to the museum is 3.50€, free for children under 6. It is open daily 9am to 1:30pm and 5 to 8:30pm (6–9:30pm in summer).
Spain’s oldest flea market, El Mercadillo de Jueves (see above), first documented in 1292, takes place on nearby Calle Feria every Thursday from 8.30am to 2pm. The street also has an excellent food market, Mercado de la Feria, which offers a mix of traditional stalls, artisanal cakes and coffee, and great tapas. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 8am to midnight.
A couple of blocks toward the river lies the 16th-century Alameda de Hércules, a huge public promenade surrounded by bars and restaurants. It is Sevilla’s main gay district.
The district around the Basilica de la Macarena, once one of Spain’s poorest slums, is now an appealing blend of working-class tradition and hipster creativity. Its cobbled streets feature quirky cafés and vintage clothing shops alongside traditional bars and lots of churches.
The district is named after the 17th-century statue of the Virgen de la Macarena, a key figure in the Holy Week processions. She wears five emerald brooches, a gift from the legendary bullfighter Joselito. When he died in the ring in 1920, she dressed in black for the following Semana Santa. You can visit the basilica and its museum at Calle Bécquer, 1 (tel. 95-490-18-00). Admission to the museum is 3.50€, free for children under 6. It is open daily 9am to 1:30pm and 5 to 8:30pm (6–9:30pm in summer).
Spain’s oldest flea market, El Mercadillo de Jueves (see above), first documented in 1292, takes place on nearby Calle Feria every Thursday from 8.30am to 2pm. The street also has an excellent food market, Mercado de la Feria, which offers a mix of traditional stalls, artisanal cakes and coffee, and great tapas. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 8am to midnight.
A couple of blocks toward the river lies the 16th-century Alameda de Hércules, a huge public promenade surrounded by bars and restaurants. It is Sevilla’s main gay district.
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