Consorcio de Turismo

saltar a contenido

Feria de Abril (Seville Fair)

History

Although it may appear odd to the visitor, due to the pride of the Sevillians, the Feria de Abril (Seville Fair) is not an invention of the people of Seville. Don José Maria Ybarra, first Count of Ybarra and Narciso Bonaplata, during the term of Mayor of Seville, Count Montelirio, were the architects of such a grand event.

It was originally a livestock Fair. The traders set up canvas tents which served as shelter for the businessman. Other small businesses, such as stalls that served food, drink, sold trinkets and sweets, etc. soon sprung up around these traders. Movement from buyers and sellers also brought different forms of entertainment: traveling theater groups, fairground music, etc.

In view of such a festive display, the townspeople not interested in trading would gather around the grounds and organize dancing under the canopied stands. This led to the decorating of these tents.

Getting back to history. The Feria began to take hold in 1846. After initial resistance from Mayor Montelirio, the promoters, Ybarra and Bonaplata obtained support from the Count. This lack of confidence at first had to do with an existing local livestock fair (Mairena del Alcor). This along with another important horse fair closeby (Feria del Caballo, in Jerez) led to doubts on the success of a similar event. In April, 1847, the Feria was officially established, lasting for a period of three days. Though it was in 1865 when the Feria de Abril finally received it first big launching. As soon as it was seen as viable, the City Council tackled as series of structural reforms making this a provincial, regional, national and international showcase of the city. The city and its residents soon made this event their own.

In 1899 the Royal Fair (Real de la Feria, name which the grounds received thanks to support from Queen Isabel II, earlier on), begins to acquire a style of the event similar to today's, once institutionalized and fully decorated.

The City Council (1910) publicized the Feria and its popular attractions in brochures produced by their own office. This brochure cited this irrefutable date demonstrating the influx of foreign visitors. During this period the Feria was enriched with lovely floral displays, sport events, horse races and great festivities held in the Maestranza Bullring.

During the Exposition of 1929, the Feria's fairgrounds were moved to the south of the city (Prado of San Sebastián) and remained so until 1972. The Feria had gained in the area of enjoyment while losing in the commercial aspect. It had becoming a stage for fun for the inhabitants of Seville and its surroundings as well as for visitors. This, along with the attendance of different personalities of the period, projected the event at an international level.

After 125 years in the Prado de San Sebastián and having grown extensively towards surrounding areas such as the Parque de Maria Luisa, Huerta de la Salud, the Audiencia, etc., the City Council decided to relocate the event to the present site in the Barrio de los Remedios, thus ending a period from 1847 to 1972.

Twenty eight years later the present fairgrounds have consolidated, streets carry the names of bullfighters and along with excellent organization this is now considered the ideal spot.

Nonetheless the Feria is now confronted with a new challenge. Due to the great demand for licenses for more tents (casetas), along with claims of neighboring land from the Ministry of Defense, opens a new debate on transferring the site. There is talk of a possible new location (Charco de la Pava area), along the Guadalquivir River, the Expo' 92 landsite.

Is this the future? The solution in springtime...

Copyright 2003, Consorcio de Turismo © Edificio Laredo Pza. San Francisco, 19 4ª planta 41004 Sevilla Tel Consorcio: 954592915

Tel: 954595288/954221714 Fax: 954595295/954229566 Email: laredo.turismo@sevilla.org / barranco.turismo@sevilla.org turismo@sevilla.org