Ruta de la Plata

Seville offers a wide variety of shopping, both with regards to handicrafts as well as to clothes, leather, gifts, etc. Fine quality mantillas, embroiderings, lace and harness trimmings make up the base of the typical Sevillian tradition. The mantón de Manila is a silk shawl, hand-embroidered following the same designs of those that originally came from the Philippine capital, which lends the shawl its name. This is worn in Seville not only during the Feria de Abril (April Fair), but also on any ocassion which requires a touch of elegance.

The shopping streets of Seville are bustling with activity, no matter the area. In the historical Centre, called simply el Centro by Sevillians, the shopping area is found around La Campana and the pedestrian streets of Tetuán and Sierpes. Here shopping for traditional goods ceramics, guitars, flamenco outfits, fans, mantillas and mantones de Manila merges with that of modern merchandise the latest fashions for any age group, music, jewellery, etc.

There are large department stores too, selling just about everything. The district of Nervión, near Santa Justa Station, has large shopping centres where national and international designer fashions can be found. Across the river are the districts of Triana and Los Remedios. The first is considered the pre-eminent district for ceramics, centred in the area around calle Alfarería (Pottery Street), with everything from pieces with decorative motifs of Islamic origin to those with Barroque designs from the 18th century. Numerous boutiques and fashion shops are located in Los Remedios.

Special mention must be made of Jueves (Thursday), an open-air market which takes place on the same day as its name at the beginning of calle Feria (Fair Street). This market deals in antiques and second-hand clothing.