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PATRIMOINE MONUMENTAL ET ARTISTIQUE

University (Tobacco Factory)

Of all the booming industries of 18th Century Spain none can be compared to that of tobacco. Chewing, inhaling and smoking tobacco had all become fashionable. In order to meet such a demand for these various products, the existing tobacco factory since 1610 in Plaza del Cristo de Burgos was replaced by one which nobody, at its time, could ever have imagined. Work on his building began in 1728, following the project of the military engineer Ignacio Sala. Work was halted in 1731 and recommenced in 1750under the direction of Sebastián Van der Bocht who added to the industrial nucleus various palatial elements such as the façade, the vestibule, stairways and lounges. Other Sevillian craftsmen also took part in this work. The monumental factory was completely finished in 1771 (sic), including the Courthouse, jail and administration buildings. Its capacity was somewhat astounding: a human contingent of thousands of workers, he majority of whom from the 19th century onwards were women, immense workshops and warehouses, aired by 24 courtyards, 21 fountains; 10 wells for cleaning the factory; 116 grinding mills, 40 reviewing mills and 87 pens and stables to keep the nearly 400 animals used for the milling. This public building was devised as a type of citadel: it had a chapel, sentry boxes, drawbridges and a moat. This company, apart from being the largest employer of the female population of 19th century Seville, also spearheaded the world-wide projection of the myth of las cigarreras (cigar makers). In 1949 the installation of the various faculties of the University of Seville in this building was finally approved. This resulted in various alterations in the interior, which still remain today much to the delight of those who visit. Since becoming a university seat, the building houses the chapel of la Hermandad de los Estudiantes (Student Fraternity) containing a beautiful image of Cristo de la Buena Muerte - a work of art by Juan de Mesa, created in 1620.

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