The only river in Spain with considerable river traffic. Although, currently it is only navigable from the sea to Seville, in the Roman period it was navigable up to Córdoba and when the river was high, the ships could even reach Andújar.
The river’s upper course is at 1350 metres above sea level in Sierra de Cazorla, a mountain range where, in summer, many sporadic streams converge. Its source is located in Cañada de las Fuentes, a borough of Quesada. Before the river flows from this source, its natural spring, the Guadalquivir River receives water from the highest points of two mountain ranges, Sierra de Cazorla and El Pozo. Seville is where the river gains importance and, to facilitate its navigation towards its mouth, its course has been modified through the construction of canals, locks, and by dredging its depths. After passing the towns of Coria and La Puebla del Río, the river is divided in two branches and marshy zones, called Marismas del Guadalquivir, from which the river reaches its end in the Atlantic Ocean, next to Sanlúcar de Barrameda and always in presence of the breathtaking National Park of Doñana National Park. The Guadalquivir River is the most important river in Andalusia and one of Spain´s most important rivers, but here in Seville, the Guadalquivir is much more than a river: it is life and history of the city and it is present in all its artistic manifestations.