Cool Gazpacho in Sultry Seville

The Salon de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors) in the Real Alcázar

Seville became the most ornate city in Europe in the 16th century, when New World gold and silver sailed up the Guadalquivir River. The ships also brought culinary riches – tomatoes and bell peppers – which Sevillanos added to the ancient Roman soup of bread, garlic, salt, vinegar, and olive oil to create gazpacho, the refreshing chilled soup often called “salad in a bowl.”