The environment of Maria Luisa Park In recent months, the park has experienced a period of intense activity, with projects ranging from tree replacement to the restoration of heritage elements and the organization of cultural and leisure activities for families. All of this is helping to reinforce the role of this green space as one of Seville's most emblematic and vibrant locations.
Among the most recent performances, the following stand out: planting new trees Inside the park, the celebration of theatrical tours for children and families takes place in a large part of its gardens and the restoration of historic banks of the neighboring Paseo de las Delicias, an urban strip intimately linked to the park and the monumental image of the city.
Tree replacement and pest control in Maria Luisa Park
The City Council has undertaken the planting of 33 new specimens in the Maria Luisa Park, as part of the annual planting campaign that takes place during the autumn and winter months in the 11 districts of the cityThis action is part of the municipal strategy of maintain and strengthen the tree mass of one of Seville's most well-known green spaces.
These trees come to replace 23 maples and poplars which were removed at the end of October due to the detection of a beetle that affects these species. Although initially some specimens were already being replaced by the decline that they presentedThe presence of this insect forced us to bring forward and expand the intervention to avoid phytosanitary risks.
The report submitted by the Department of Plant Health The Territorial Delegation of Agriculture of the Andalusian Regional Government, based on samples taken on September 4, confirmed the presence of the bark beetle in three trees. Euwallacea fornicatus, Popularly known as ambrosia beetle or tea beetleThis species is capable of causing serious damage to maples and other ornamental trees if action is not taken in time.
Although the technicians indicated that There was no immediate risk of rollover or fracture Of the affected specimens, the council decided to remove all the box elder present in the area for to stop any possible spread of the insect within the park. The measure has been adopted as a preventive action, in line with the protocols followed in Europe in the face of the appearance of invasive pests in urban green spaces.
The replacement has been carried out with 33 trees of new, more suitable species to the conditions of the enclosure and less vulnerable to this type of bark beetle. Among them are specimens of Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywood' (known as 'Raywood' ash) and of Paulowniaspecies that provide shade, autumnal color and relatively rapid growth, adding to the more than five hundred trees which are already part of this historic garden.
Maria Luisa Park as a setting for theatrical tours for families
In addition to the environmental actions, the Maria Luisa Park has established itself as venue for cultural activities Designed for all audiences, especially families with children looking for unique activities in the heart of Seville. One example is the theatrical tours organized by the animation company. Pantalunaticos, who has designed several tours that blend history, fiction and public participation.
Among these proposals, one of the most striking is the route "Jurassic Seville"The tour, which explores the lushest side of MarÃa Luisa Park, takes a unique approach: introducing children to the world of dinosaurs through play and theater. Along the route, the tour reviews the... Dinosaur remains found in Seville and Andalusia, combining informative data with comic scenes and fantastic characters.
El "Jurassic Seville" tour It includes several iconic points of interest in the park: it begins at the Frogs Fountain, continues along the Garden of the Lions and ends at the well known Mount GuruguFor a little over an hour, participants follow the actors' instructions, can bring their own toy dinosaur to show off on a fun "Jurassic catwalk," and interact with a small stage velociraptor that is part of the plot.
This route, from one hour and fifteen minutes longIt combines humor, magic, history, cartoons, and lots of interaction with young children. It is offered on different dates, with a price of 7 euros per personTickets are managed via email through the address provided by the organizers. The approach is clearly recreational, but without neglecting a minimal educational component on paleontology and natural heritage.
Another of Pantalunáticos' proposals within the park's surroundings is the "Route of the Fairies, Elves and Fairy Beings of Seville"which explores the fantastical imagery associated with these gardens. In this case, the attendees accompany the writer. Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, transformed into a theatrical character, in his search for inspiration and in his attempt to capture the Pepper Fairy, a magical being that, according to the story, lives among the corners of Maria Luisa Park.
The itinerary of this route is structured around several symbolic locations: the Monument to Bécquer As a starting point, the swan pond, the duck pond and again the Mount GuruguAt each stop, part of Seville's bestiary of gnomes, fairies, and elves linked to folklore is revealed, while comical situations and games with the public take place.
With an approximate duration of one hour and twenty minutesThis route also incorporates humor, magic, and short stories, always in a way that's accessible to children. The price remains the same. 7 euros per attendee And the places are reserved in the same way, which has allowed the activity to become a recurring plan for local families and visitors who want to get to know the park from a different perspective.
A reinforced monumental environment: restoration of the benches on the Paseo de las Delicias
The work to improve the area surrounding MarÃa Luisa Park is not limited to the vegetation or cultural activities. Urban Planning Department of the Seville City Council is carrying out a specific intervention in the nearby Walk of Delights, one of the axes that connect the park with the Guadalquivir River and with some of the most emblematic views of the city.
The performance focuses on the comprehensive recovery of the 14 banks historical and of defensive wall Located between the San Telmo and Los Remedios bridges, an area of ​​high scenic and heritage value. The objective is to restore the splendor to some elements that are part of the historical and urban site which frames the San Telmo Palace, the Maria Luisa Park and the Plaza de España.
With a budget that exceeds 84.600 EurosThe works address the deterioration accumulated over time, pollution, and the area's heavy traffic. Built in 1917 Built of red brick, these benches have suffered losses of decorative pieces, fragmentation of pedestals, and the appearance of a black crust on many surfaces due to environmental dirt.
Of the original fourteen banks, only two retain all their elements; the rest have been lost. decorative balls and they have cracked pedestalscompromising both the aesthetics and stability of the pieces. This situation has necessitated a specialized restoration intervention, focused on respecting the original materials and techniques as much as possible.
For cleaning of the walls A low-pressure dry aggregate jetting system is being used, a technique that allows the removal of surface deposits without damaging the brick. After this phase, a consolidating treatment in order to stabilize the outer layers and improve the material's resistance to weathering.
The fissures and small cracks They are filled with mixtures of air lime y ground silicate in aqueous suspension, seeking compatibility with the original substrate. At the same time, gaskets and edges are replaced with specially formulated mortars to reproduce the texture and color of the historic brick, avoiding visual contrasts that break the unity of the whole.
In cases where entire elements have been lost, such as balls or fragments of moldings, the following procedure is followed: reintegration of the missing piecesTo do this, matrices are created in expanded polystyrene and molds in plaster E-35Following a prior study of the original parts diagrams, the new parts are manufactured with fine chamotte clay (SiO2) using the "squeezing" technique and are baked in an oven at temperatures of 1050 ºC and 960 ºCthen applying a slip that homogenizes the tone.
Each bank, of about 4,18 meters wide and arranged at intervals of approximately 23,44 meters, it is finished at its ends with pillars that culminate in a semi-curved molding on which is situated a three-section pedestal finished off by a ball of about 0,22 meters in diameterAll of this is implemented in red brick, a material that engages in dialogue with other nearby constructions such as the Plaza de España and reinforces the aesthetic coherence of the surroundings.
The seats, originally also made of brick, were later covered with Macael marbleA solution that has become a hallmark of these banks and is now preserved within the restoration project. The intervention, as a whole, aims to keep alive the Historical memory of the Paseo de las Delicias and ensure that this space continues to be a privileged viewpoint overlooking the river and the Maria Luisa Park.
With the combination of new tree plantations In the MarÃa Luisa Park, the offer of theatrical routes that bring its natural and symbolic heritage closer to families, and the restoration of historic furniture Along the Paseo de las Delicias, the area surrounding this large Sevillian garden is being enhanced in its environmental, cultural, and urban dimensions. All of this helps it remain one of Seville's most recognizable spaces, where nature, family leisure, and heritage coexist in a close and everyday way.