Estadio Benito Villamarín is a stadium in Seville , Spain , and the home of Real Betis since its completion in 1929. It has a capacity of 60,721.
10-546: As early as 1912, the Spanish architect Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio had an initial design of a stadium for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 . The executive committee has commissioned the architect Antonio Illanes del Río to complete the design in 1923. Several locations were considered for the new stadium when finally the current location was chosen by commissar Cruz Conde. The technical study for its construction
20-518: Is a huge half-circle with buildings continually running around the edge accessible over the moat by numerous beautiful bridges. In the centre is a large fountain. By the walls of the Plaza are many tiled alcoves, each representing a different province of Spain. Plaza de Am%C3%A9rica The Plaza de América ( Seville , Spain), located in the Parque de María Luisa , was built by architect Aníbal González for
30-514: The Spanish Civil War , Seville City Council requisitioned the stadium and handed it over to the military. The stadium suffered major damages as a result of the war and required renovation. The work was carried out with the help of Gonzalo Queipo de Llano , and the stadium was reopened on March 12, 1939. In 1958, the extension of the northern and southern stands was carried out by the architect Antonio Delgado y Roig . In 1959 electric lighting
40-435: The 1970s, the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 48,500 spectators. However, major renovation works were carried out between 1979 and 1982 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 50,253. The stadium hosted 2 group matches during the tournament. In 1997, the stadium was renamed after the then-club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera . However in 2010, Real Betis fans voted to change
50-724: The Mudéjar Pavilion that was accomplished in 1914 (currently Museum of Arts and Traditions of Sevilla ), the Palacio del Renacimiento (currently Archeological Museum of Seville ) and the Real Pavilion. His most famous work for the Exposition is the Plaza de España , completed in 1929 that was the most emblematic place of this event. González combined a mix of 1920s Art Deco and 'mock Mudejar', and Neo-Mudéjar styles. The Plaza de España complex
60-629: The Second Empire architectural style and one of the main eclecticist architects of Spain in the first third of the 20th century, and Vicente Lamperez, a prominent restorer, architect and art historian and member of the Royal Academy of History. Aníbal González was appointed chief architect of the Sevilla Iberoamerican Exposition of 1929, where he worked until 1926. He designed in the Plaza de América of Maria Luisa Park ,
70-854: The name of the stadium back to honor former club president Benito Villamarín. In 2016, the southern stand of the stadium was demolished for expansion. After the most recent redevelopments, the total capacity of the stadium was increased from 52,000 to 60,721. The expansion work was completed in August 2017 in time for the 2017–18 La Liga season. The stadium hosted two group matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup . coordinates = 37°21′23″N 5°58′53″W / 37.35639°N 5.98139°W / 37.35639; -5.98139 An%C3%ADbal Gonz%C3%A1lez %C3%81lvarez-Ossorio Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio (10 June 1876 in Seville – 31 May 1929 also in Seville)
80-946: Was a Spanish architect who made important buildings in Seville and Madrid . At the beginning of his career his style was Art Deco , but later evolved towards regionalism. He designed the Plaza de España and he was the chief architect of the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 in Seville. González was born in Seville to José González Espejo and Catalina Álvarez-Ossorio y Pizarro. He studied in La Escuela Superior de Arquitectura (Madrid Superior Technical School of Architecture) where he graduated in 1902. Other architects in his class included Joaquín Rojí, Tomás Acha, Luchas Alday, Amós Salvador, Miguel G. de la Any, Jerónimo P. Mathet, Juan J. Gorruchaga, Luis López, Calixto Sancho, Demetrio Ribes, Francisco García Navas and Gregorio Rábago. Two of his teachers were Ricardo Velázquez Bosco , an exponent of
90-493: Was carried out by Manuel María Smith who has designed the San Mamés Stadium of Bilbao in 1913. The construction works were launched in 1923 and finally completed by the end of 1928. The newly built Estadio de la Exposición was officially inaugurated on March 17, 1929, hosting an international match where Spain defeated Portugal 5-0. In 1936, Real Betis gained the lease of the stadium and became its sole tenant. During
100-440: Was installed with 4 towers of 48 spotlights each. On August 12, 1961, the stadium became owned property by Real Betis. Few days later, the stadium was renamed after Benito Villamarín who served as the club president between 1955 and 1965. The stadium was blessed by Cardinal José Bueno y Monreal . Between 1971 and 1973, the northern and southern stands were entirely demolished to be rebuilt. With continuous expansion works during
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