Tobacco Factory

Since the mid-twentieth century it has housed the headquarters of the rectorate of the University of Seville and some of its faculties. The industrial building of the eighteenth century, is one of the largest and best architecture of its kind in Spain, while one of the oldest of that type that are preserved in Europe, from the time of the Ancient Regime. As a building, it extends over a rectangular surface of 185 x 147 meters, with slight overhangs in its corners.

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In Spain only the monastery of El Escorial, which occupies an area of 207 x 162 meters, exceeds its size, the enclosure is surrounded on three sides by a moat that isolates it from the outside, presents elevation on two floors and mezzanines in residential areas. Architecturally, its general scheme of Renaissance references stands out, with Herrerian airs in its floor plan, courtyards and details of the facades, without forgetting the similarities with motifs of the architects Sebastiano Serlio and Palladio. Its stone facades are modulated by pilasters that rise on a pedestal that runs along the building. In its main facade the influence of the baroque style is appreciated, it presents a cover with double columns to each side and in the superior plant, balustraded balcony and auction with tympanum decorated with royal attributes. Above, there is a statue of fame, and vases of lilies, works of Cayetano de Acosta; to the same Portuguese author, the white marble fountains of the two interior patios and the pinnacles that decorate the four corners of the building are also due. In the entrance arch there are reliefs with themes concerning the history and elaboration of tobacco. The building is surrounded by a moat in most of its perimeter due to its construction outside the walls attached to part of the city walls in that area. These characteristics make it worthy of being mentioned by the English traveler Richard Ford as El Escorial tabaquero and more modernly as: Palacio de la Industria.

Industrial Palace.

In 1956 Antonio Cano Correa and his wife Carmen Jimenez Serrano sculpted the ornamentation of the new doors that were opened in the east, south and west facades of the old Royal Factory to be covers of the new faculties of the University of Seville, corresponding to Law, Science and Philosophy and Letters.