Mayor José Luis Sanz lays the first stone of the works that will transform the municipal warehouse of Santa Bárbara, measuring 4,489 square metres, into the permanent venue for the Three Kings Parade.
The central warehouse of Santa Bárbara, next to Artillería, has begun its transformation into the definitive venue for the Three Kings Parade of Seville this Monday. The mayor, José Luis Sanz, presided over the laying of the first stone of works that will adapt a building constructed in 1916 and covering 4,489 square metres.
The building, granted to the Ateneo de Sevilla, will cease to be an industrial warehouse to house the assembly of the floats. Until now, the parade had to be assembled in dozens of different locations across the city, a practice that had been ongoing for over a century.
“More than a century of industrial history in our city that today begins a new life by becoming the venue for one of our most cherished traditions”
According to Sanz, the new location resolves a logistical problem that has persisted for decades and acknowledges the cultural and social work of the Ateneo. The parade has been celebrated since 1918 and throughout its history has raised funds for vulnerable children and brought activities to hospitals and homes in Seville.
The adaptation project has been undertaken by Grupo Abu, which will also implement safety and health measures in the space. The adaptation has required reviewing access points, the dimensions of openings, and internal circulation conditions to allow the floats to manoeuvre inside the warehouse.
“This new venue not only resolves a logistical problem that has persisted for decades. It primarily recognises the enormous cultural and social work of the Ateneo de Sevilla”
The mayor has thanked Grupo Abu for their collaboration and has positioned the start of the works as the starting point for a facility that will host the manufacturing of the floats and the preparation of the parade each year.
“Today we are not just laying a first stone. Today marks the beginning of a new life in this place where, each year, the dreams of thousands of Seville's children will be created”
During the event, Sanz also announced that the coat of arms of the Ateneo de Sevilla will be part of the central axis of the entrance to the Seville Fair of 2027. The design is signed by Hugo Montalván, titled “Gateway to Dreams 1927”, featuring the Pino Montano farmhouse and the Morocco pavilion.
The choice responds to the centenary of the Generation of '27, as the Ateneo de Sevilla promoted the founding events of that literary group in December 1927. With this project, the city gains a permanent space for one of its most popular events, held on January 5, which until now depended on temporary facilities.
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