What's not to love about Sevilla (Seville)! This town in The Andalucia region of Spain has a labyrinth of little lanes, surprise courtyards, fabulous architecture, oranges growing on trees all over town, and the largest cathedral by area (the certificate from Guiness is posted prominently)!
The only things which knocked its score down from perfect were---it was chock full of tourists, and it was over 90 degrees! Those of us from the Pacific Northwest have a much lower wilting point.
After the 90 minute drive from the port city of Cadiz we started by touring the Barrio Santa Cruz--the area once home to the thriving Jewish community. This is a charming tangle of little lanes and plazas with coffee shops and other little shops selling flamenco outfits, fans, and ceramics. We stopped to have a cappuccino (and use the wc).
Then it was on to the Cathedral--Santa Maria de la Sede and the Giralda Bell Tower.
This is the high altar which took 3 generations to complete--it is 65 feet tall--note the workers at the base!
After our fill of tombs (Chris Columbus), pipe organs (7000 pipes), chapels and a number of rooms filled with treasure (huge silver candlesticks, thrones, paintings, and gold reliquaries which hold body parts) we left through the Court of the Orange trees which was the courtyard of the Mosque that stood here in the 12th century--replete with the irrigation system brought by the Moors.
Just across the main street we came across this courtyard and purchased some marmalade made with Seville oranges by cloistered nuns. They used to have a lazy Susan in the wall so they could sell without being seen- today they have a shop.
After a stroll through a confusing maze of tiny streets (and at least 2 dead ends) we came out at the Guadalquivir river, did a quick zip past the bull fighting ring--Plaza de Toros, strolled along the riverside path past the Golden Tower and then were in need of servezas por favor! All in all a very successful day!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The only things which knocked its score down from perfect were---it was chock full of tourists, and it was over 90 degrees! Those of us from the Pacific Northwest have a much lower wilting point.
After the 90 minute drive from the port city of Cadiz we started by touring the Barrio Santa Cruz--the area once home to the thriving Jewish community. This is a charming tangle of little lanes and plazas with coffee shops and other little shops selling flamenco outfits, fans, and ceramics. We stopped to have a cappuccino (and use the wc).
Then it was on to the Cathedral--Santa Maria de la Sede and the Giralda Bell Tower.
This is the high altar which took 3 generations to complete--it is 65 feet tall--note the workers at the base!
After our fill of tombs (Chris Columbus), pipe organs (7000 pipes), chapels and a number of rooms filled with treasure (huge silver candlesticks, thrones, paintings, and gold reliquaries which hold body parts) we left through the Court of the Orange trees which was the courtyard of the Mosque that stood here in the 12th century--replete with the irrigation system brought by the Moors.
Just across the main street we came across this courtyard and purchased some marmalade made with Seville oranges by cloistered nuns. They used to have a lazy Susan in the wall so they could sell without being seen- today they have a shop.
After a stroll through a confusing maze of tiny streets (and at least 2 dead ends) we came out at the Guadalquivir river, did a quick zip past the bull fighting ring--Plaza de Toros, strolled along the riverside path past the Golden Tower and then were in need of servezas por favor! All in all a very successful day!
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Spain
1 comment:
Seville was always my favorite!! Have some tapas for me!
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