Hola from Sevilla!
We just got done picking up our laundry and packing to leave this beautiful city tomorrow so it seems like a good time to blog.
Our first day to experience Sevilla was Palm Sunday, we started with a free walking tour. Tomas, our guide took us to the notable Monuments in the city.
We visited Plaza de Espana with Tomas. This beautiful structure was built in 1929 for an expo. Countries from the Americas (chiefly South America) came to Spain to show their wares and revive trade with them.
From our visit to the Cathedral on Monday:
The Cathedral here (St. Mary) is the third largest in the world after St. Peter (Vatican) and St. Paul (London). Easy to remember - Peter, Paul & Mary - LOL!
The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral. Sunday morning when we headed out to our tour the bells were pealing for a long time and LOUD! It was super cool!
The cathedral was once a mosque which was "Christianized" starting in 1248. Its orientation was changed and it was adorned with Christian images to suit Christian worship practices. They basically messed around building the cathedral for 300+ years.
The Giralda is the former minaret of the mosque that stood on the site under Muslim rule. It was converted to a bell tower after the Reconquista. Construction began in 1184 and was completed in 1198. In the 16th century the belfry was added.
Inside there are only 17 steps in the tower, the rest is ramps - 37 ramps. Why? This was a minaret originally, imagine walking up five times a day for prayers! The ramps were there so that horses could carry folks up to the top. We climbed to the top of the tower and were rewarded with amazing views.
It is hard to describe the size of this cathedral. Wikipedia says it has 80 chapels - this feels right. We just kept wandering around finding more to gawk at - we spent more than 1.5 hours in there.
Just outside the entrance is this replica of the weathervane that is on the top of the Giralda.
John the Baptist's head on a platter!
The golden ceiling and one of the altar pieces.
Another small chapel
I believe this is the main altar.
The raised pulpit.
another altar piece
Domed ceiling
Golden ceiling and columns
Christopher Columbus' grave
We are always interested in looking ate the iconography and (hopefully) matching it to a Bible scene. In this church there was a lot of iconography for their saints so that was a bit lost on us.
On Sunday afternoon the processions started - each "Brotherhood" from the various churches (some having as many as 2000 participants) marched through the town with their "carriage" (think of a float that is super fancy with silver and gold). We waited on a street for the parade to begin.
There were some uncomfortable moments as we struggled to understand their outfits. The participants are "penitents" the hats "point to God". This design dates back to the Inquisition ... Just awkward.
Anyway...
The carriage for this group was the crucified Christ.
They are carrying around some valuable hardware.
Some are not as patient ...
After this parade we had tickets to a Flamenco show. It was only a 15 minute walk - or so we thought! We could not get around the processions. There were 15+ going on all afternoon in the city around the Cathedral. It was impossible to avoid them!
Lots of narrow passageways and streets and all of them jammed with well-dressed people!
We did make it to the Flamenco show with no time to spare! It was worth the fight to get there!
The dancers and the musicians were superb, we were close enough to watch their feet! I could listen to acoustic guitar all day long! We had five course tapas and Sherry wine during the show. Delicious! We needed the energy to fight our way back to our hotel - another 15 minute walk that took 40. LOL
On Monday we had tickets to Real Alcazar of Sevilla. This was formerly the site of the Islamic-era citadel of the city, begun in the 10th century. After the Castilian conquest in 1248, the site was rebuilt and replaced by new palaces and gardens. The most important parts were developed by Peter I during the 1360s.
Entering Alcazar
Plenty of courtyards and fountains
The Muslim workers are known for their plaster and tile work. Peter I appreciated their craftsmanship and loved the style, so he continued it.
Of course he added Christian touches.
Detailed wooden ceiling decor
The baths
Mercury fountain
Elaborate gardens
What was amazing to us was the size of the Alcazar. It sits across from the Cathedral and seems to take up very little space. Once you are inside you realize how large it is!
Oh - it is still the official residence of the King of Spain. When he or the Queen are in Sevilla they stay at Alcazar.
In 1962 the Alcazar was used as the set for Lawrence of Arabia. Part of the fifth season of Game of Thrones was shot at Alcazar as well.
We started off today (Tuesday) with a visit to Inglesia Salvadore. This is the second largest church in the city (after the Cathedral). Some of the carriages were parked inside.
This is Las Setas ("The Mushrooms"). This mostly wooden structure located at Plaza de Encarnacion. It houses a market, restaurants and museum and a Flamenco show (the one we saw).
Of course you can go up top in this funky elevator. (I'm smiling because I don't have to climb steps!)
View from the top!
Torre de Oro
A sailing ship that went around the world 1519-1522.
Bullfight Arena
Whew! Thanks for sticking with me on this wild three day visit to Sevilla!
We enjoyed everything about Sevilla and feel blessed to have seen a glimpse of their Holy Week celebrations. The processions continue everyday this week and we work hard to avoid them at this point. LOL
We've had some great food, everything from Octopus to Pork, delicious cheeses to spicy ham and good wine too!
Step counts are high these days: Sunday 21,400, Monday 21,500 and so far today 10,400 with more walking planned tonight. Wow!
Tomorrow we fly to Bilboa to see what we can see.
More later,
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