Seville is serious about the entrance fee for the Plaza de España

Seville is pulling the emergency brake to curb mass tourism. The city government plans to restrict access to the Plaza de España and introduce an entrance fee for tourists wishing to visit the impressive square. The plans are now at an advanced stage, said José Luis Sanz, mayor of Seville, in a radio interview this week.

The plan is to introduce an entrance fee of three to four euros, which will apply only to tourists, as locals will be exempt. Despite part of the architectural complex belonging to the state, which opposes the fee, Sanz remains resolute in moving forward with the proposal. He emphasized that the city council could easily demarcate the part of the square that belongs to it and would do so as soon as the «project is fully defined». He did not give a specific date for implementation.

The mayor wants the income to go to the preservation of historical monuments. In addition, the money is to be used to employ a security service around the clock and to open a permanent restoration workshop for the iconic building.

Sanz initially unveiled his plans on social media around six months ago, facing strong opposition from both online commenters and his political adversaries. The left-wing central government in Madrid declared that the plan amounted to the privatization of public space.

Plaza de España, one of the most important tourist attractions in the Andalusian capital, is an impressive testament to the various cultural influences that shape Seville.