Royal Tobacco Factory (Real Fábrica de Tabacos)
- Address:Calle San Fernando, Seville
- Hours:Closed Sundays
- Admission:Free
Cultural Experience, Popular with Locals, Monument - Historical
1:48 AM Monday, May 28
Clear. Pleasantly warm.
7 day forecast »
To look up - and up - at the Real Fábrica de Tabacos is to get a sense of the scale of Seville's tobacco industry in the 18th century. This is one of the largest buildings in Spain (only El Escorial tops it in terms of surface area). It's used as a university building now, but you can still walk around it.
The reason most people visit is to get a vision of Bizet's doomed heroine, Carmen. This building is where she worked and these doors are where she lounged, fresh from rolling cigars on her thighs, to ensnare her lovers.
Carmen's wraith may be compelling, but the wraiths of the real cigar workers - nearly all of them women - also clamor for attention, as do the colonially themed bas-reliefs on the outside of the building.
This tour is a fantastic way of getting your bearings when you first arrive in Seville. It takes around an hour and we found it best to stay on for the whole trip, from wherever you pick up the bus, and then go around again, getting on and off where you want to. The commentary is excellent.
Continue Reading »
This is an excellent introduction to the city. Hop-on Hop -off tours really help you get comfortable in a new city.
Continue Reading »Practical Info
The Real Fabrica de Tabacos lies to the south of the Alcázar's gardens.
