After many years of prevarication, consultation and administrative wrangling, the Royal Shipyards of Seville, which date from Alfonso the Wise's reign in the 13th century, are finally going to be restored and converted into a cultural centre. The 25-million-euro project, presented by Fundacion La Caixa and Fundacion CajaSol, was approved by the Comision Provincial de Patrimonio Historico de Sevilla (Consejeria de Cultura) this week.

If you are planning a visit to Seville once the intense summer heat has dissipated, then you may be pleased to hear that, from this autumn, two important historic monuments with aristocratic heritage will be available to visit for the first time.