Royal Tobacco Factory

The University in Seville used to be, in former times, one of the most famous buildings in the city.

The old tobacco factory was built in the 18th century thanks to the boost in tobacco consumption, which was State owned.

Since the 19th century, this building became a famous building internationally, when a French writer, Prospero Merimeé, was inspired by the character of a cigar-maker, Carmen, who worked in the Royal Tabacco Factory. Some years later, Bizet adapted the character of the cigar-maker to create his famous opera “Carmen”.

There are two smaller buildings in the complex. One of them is a chapel which is still in use. There is also a former prison which is now used by the University.