Kansas City is anything but an only child. What with 12 sister cities around the world (and more on the way ), we figured it was time for a family reunion of sorts, starting with our oldest sibling: Seville, Spain.
Hey, soul sister (city)
Also known as twin cities or friendship cities, a sister city partnership is an agreement to promote lasting cultural ties. The idea is to form a fellowship that encourages trade, tourism, and even cultural exchanges + projects.
One difference between this Iberian paradise and our Midwest city? Color. | Photo via Pexels, by AXP Photography
Get to know Seville
This Spanish paradise is nestled in the autonomous community of Andalusia, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula — just east of southern Portugal.
The city is best known for its tradition of flamenco and Spanish guitar, tapas restaurants, ceramics, and most of all, its unique Moorish architecture. Think: the Catedral de Sevilla, the largest Gothic temple in Europe.
Las Setas de Sevilla has a lot of jobs, including being a rooftop terrace with a panoramic views of the city. | Photo via Pexels, by Javier Gonzalez
Seville + Kansas City
Long before the official partnership, J.C. Nichols created the Country Club Plaza with a distinctly Spanish vision, eventually commissioning replicas of Seville’s Giralda + Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes fountains in the mid-sixties. In 1967, Kansas City’s first international partnership began with Seville.
Nowadays you can get involved with the local sister city chapter — and if you ever find yourself across the Atlantic, we recommend exploring the Avenida de Kansas City and searching for Seville’s own (miniature) version of The Scout.
Look familiar? Our Giralda Tower was fashioned after Seville’s own. | Photos via Missouri Valley Special Collection and Pexels, by AXP Photography