Train
to Seville for a few days. Orange trees, olives trees everywhere. Old
town is lively-tourists, locals, families and so many well dressed
babies and toddlers. Many many babies! Mosques converted to churches look like...mosques
converted to churches! Walked around the twisty alleys of Jewish Quarter
with hidden plazas, ornate grillwork, stunning fabrics and hand painted fans. Delicious tapas! Surprising architecture.
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| hand painted fan |
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| embroidered shawl |
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| ornate ironwork on bridge |
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| curved corner tile sign |
Seville
is beautiful city with a complex history of animosity and alliances
between the Christians and the Moors/Muslims and Jews. We got to see
this with the architecture, and the food. We explored the Plaza de
Espana -looking for Star Wars characters, the Seville Cathedral, the
Real Alcazar (palace in Arabic. Longest used palace in Europe-being used
by Spains King as he followed us to each city!), and the Mushroom-largest wooden structure in the world. Who knew!
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| Plaza de Espana built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 |
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| canal with 4 bridges, ornate tiles |
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| such detailed work |
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| The Cadiz alcove |
The tiled alcoves around the semi-circular plaza each represent a different Spanish province. Each bench is flanked by decorated bookshelves where people place, and borrow, books relating to the province.
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| light poles are tile covered |
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| end tower of plaza |
Adorning the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de la Encarnacion is the largest wooden structure in the world - the Mushroom, or las Setas de Seville, opened in 2011. It was built to revitalize a deteriorating neighborhood. It is a very active area now with events, music, restaurants. You can climb to the top and walk around a walkway overlooking the city, and the light show that happens each evening within the squares.
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| exploring the mushroom |
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| sunset overlooking Seville from Mushroom |
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| busking flamenco |
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Real Alcazar - Mudejar style palace, longest used in Europe
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| Moorish courtyard |
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| 10th cent Muslim palace, adopted by KingPedro 14th cent |
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| mudejar architecture: Moorish with Christian influences |
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| see Jewish influence as well |
The Cathedral de Santa Maria was, as many Spanish cathedrals, built on the site of a mosque in 1400s. It is the largest in Spain, and largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Christopher Columbus, or part of him, is entombed here.
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| Main altar. Only Royal weddings here. |
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| former minaret, then bell tower |
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| Columbus tomb - Spanish Jewish, not Italian Christian! |
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| stuffed crock was gift to princess |
Time to learn to cook PAELLA! Went to Triana Market. This part of town is where the gypsies lived - and the origins of the Flamenco. Also known for where the tile factories were located. Last
meal in Seville was in a park behind the church near our hotel. Mostly
locals,buskers added musical ambience. Lovely evening.
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| Triana Market |
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| spinach garbanzo stew |
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| smashing garlic |
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| replica of one of Magellan's ships that left Seville to sail around the world |
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| typical home tile in Triana |
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| anchovies, tuna nicoise salad, croquettes |
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| fried sardines |
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| ceviche |
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| turk shops for pig leg! |
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| delicious bean stew |
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| seafood with mousse |
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| Seville Jewish quarter - door |
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| Spain's marker for Jewish Quarter |
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Jewish quarter narrow street
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Spain's marker for Jewish Quarter, shape of Iberian Peninsula, shows border of Portugal and the Hebrew letters for Sepheric Jew. We saw this throughout Spain. |
| Turk makes trouble |
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| beautiful Moor influence |
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much needed foot reprieve
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| finish line-marathon! |
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| decorative floor tile |
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| old and new |
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| house art |
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| unfinished on right - ran out of funds |
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| stunning altar |
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| traditional to Seville. Inspired KKK in US. |
Brotherhoods in Spain, particularly in Seville, where hoods and robes are worn during Holy Week representing the wearer as a penitent as they walk through the streets. Hoods like these were worn during the inquisition by those condemned to death. Very disturbing to see statues and souvenirs in town representing this custom.
