A Brief History Lesson on Seville’s Orange Tree-Lined Streets

Seville’s orange trees are more than just pretty plants decorating the city. From the enchanting fragrance of the azahar, or orange blossoms, during spring, to the regal utilization of the fruit in marmalade fit for a queen (literally!), the Seville oranges stand as a distinctive and integral part of the city’s rich history.

Orange trees rooted in classical mythology

To understand where Seville oranges originated, begin with Hercules, the legendary founder of Seville who is symbolized in various landmarks like the Alameda de Hercules square. Legend has it that one of Hercules’ tasks was to steal Geryon of Erytheia’s livestock. After accomplishing this, he ventured to Africa to seek the “golden apple” of immortality, rumored to be an orange.

This naranja amarga, 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. 

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 at the Cathedral of Seville.

Seville oranges: many apeeling uses

During the Middle Ages, the Moors found a number of ways to make use of their newly beloved fruit trees—from medicinal purposes to perfumes.

The orange blossoms were used in:

• Oils and essences with healing benefits including soothing various skin conditions and digestive issues
• Oils and mixtures for healing certain wounds
• Concoctions for relaxing and promoting sleep
• Perfume, with the sweet scent of orange blossom

Although orange trees were only sparsely scattered across the city until the late 1970s, with a mere 5,000 in existence, their presence experienced a remarkable surge. The count soared to over 31,000 trees, yielding a staggering production of over 4 million kilos, equivalent to almost 4.5 tons, of oranges.

Today the bitter oranges are used in many products found all over Seville, including:

• Baked goods and chocolates
• Jams
• Liqueurs and wines
• Lotions

Insider’s Tip: Vino de naranja, or orange wine, is made from sweet white wine from Huelva that is mixed with the peels of Seville’s bitter oranges. Grab a glass of orange wine at Taberna Álvaro Peregil, one of our favorite historic bars in Seville. Sit back, relax and sip among the orange trees that line the street.

 

Marmalade for Her Majesty

This special fruit was also famously cherished by the Queen of England. The story goes that some of these bitter oranges were shipped up to northern England along with iron from the Rio Tinto mines in Huelva, and…the rest is history.

Queen Elizabeth II was reported to enjoy marmalade on her toast made from Seville’s bitter oranges that came from the Palacio de las Dueñas, the former home (now museum) of “La Cayetana,” the Duchess of Alba.

The best time of year for Seville oranges

Anywhere from While the orange trees are a sight to be seen all year round, the best time to catch a whiff of the orange blossoms in bloom (after the harvest). No need to fret if you can’t visit Seville during this time, though. The iconic orange trees are enjoyed every single day of the year.

Want to learn more fun facts about this amazing Andalusian city? Experience Seville’s most iconic sights, enjoy VIP access to the Alcazar, and get swept away by the beauty and culture of the city on our Best of Seville Walking Tour: Exclusive Early Alcazar Access, Cathedral & Jewish Quarter.