Not just a pretty face, Seville\u2019s orange trees are more than just a form of natural decor for the city center.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the intoxicating smell of the azahar<\/em>, or orange blossoms, in springtime, to the practical use of the fruit in marmalade fit for a queen (literally!), the orange trees of Seville form a unique part of the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Rooted in classical mythology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To set the scene, we need to take a peek back at classical mythology and the Roman god, Hercules, who, as legend goes, founded the city and is represented in landmarks across Seville, such as the Alameda de Hercules<\/a> square and its surrounding neighborhood. Predating Seville, however, it\u2019s said that one of the 12 labors given to Hercules by Eurystheus, king of Tiryns, was to steal Geryon of Erytheia\u2019s livestock. Upon completing said task, Hercules decided to go to Africa to attempt to obtain the \u201cgolden apple\u201d of immortality, rumored to actually be an orange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This naranja amarga<\/em>, or bitter orange, was later introduced to Europe by Genovese sailors, who brought it over from Asia. Rumored to bring happiness to whoever possessed it, the Moorish dynasty that reigned at the time decided to plant these bitter orange trees all over Spain, with a high concentration of them in Andalusia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the 12th century, everyone was a firm believer of the happiness-inducing qualities of the bitter orange. They began to plant them along the streets, and by the end of the century, even went so far as to construct the Patio de los Naranjos <\/em>at the Cathedral of Seville<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n