Mooching about in Seville

We've had a lovely time (again) in Seville - very little rain and a lot warmer than Berlin and Stockholm - not that I minded the cooler weather at all.  Great time for travel.

There are lots of motorbikes but not too many bicycle riders as in Berlin (or particularly Stockholm and Copenhaegen). The rider of this motorbike had his own way of making sure he didn't forget to wear his gloves.

Our Hotel was in the Santa Cruz area, notable for its maze of little alleyways, easy access to city centre /Cathedral/ Alcazar/ walled city.

              

We joined one walking tour from the Hotel but then went our own way for the balance of our time. Fortunately, Seville is flat so it was very easy on my knees.

Our easiest access to the Hotel was either a path through the gardens, along by the walled city or via the square near the Cathedral.

The Wall and Gardens

The walls of Seville were built  in Roman times as a military perimeter surrounding the old town.

Along one section of the alleyways next to the wall surrounding the area where we stayed, we came across this.

The plaque on the left is a tribute to Carmen in the Opera.

Other wanderings in Seville

In Seville in particular, you notice the lovely vibrant colours, the greenery including the neatly trimmed orange trees in most of the squares and the horses and carriages readily available for the tourists.

One way we would emerge from the maze surrounding our Hotel would be in the street by the yellow building below.  

There in front of us would be one of the sides at the back of the Cathedral.  This square /plaza is bordered by one side of the Cathedral (it must have about 6-8 sides(?), the Archbishop's Residence, the Archives and the Alcazar and other buildings.

The Cathedral is enormous and one of the largest in the world.  We didn't go inside this time as we have previously done this and it is incredible. I can remember thinking that it was just too, too opulent.  It is claimed to have some of Christopher Columbus' remains there.  (I think 3 churches/ Cathedrals make this claim).

The Archbishop's residence is this magnificent coloured brick buiding with ornate carvings.

From another Cathedral - I love the colours!

A quick visit to a tiny church

The bullring stands out with its striking white and yellow trim - so typical of Seville. Southern Spain still has bull fights while they are banned in other parts such as Barcelona - which incidentally, has the largest bullring whose use now is for "non bull fighting" events.

The Plaza de Spain built for the 1929 Expo in Seville is a magnificient place.

Inside the Alcazar

Good but by no means as impressive or on the scale as the Alcazar at Malaga.

Detailed tiling

Incredibly large tapestries

Large and small paintings

 The inevitable chapel (or one of a number)

Colourful eateries - loved the decore

In this bar/ restaurant (as with many in Spain) along with the bull fighting posters there are religious posters i.e.  top right-  Corpus Christi  and then on left, a couple of posters of Jesus Christ.

This was at the second Flameco - where some people also had dinner.  We opted to dine after the show.

Photo below

This was the best restaurant -  that we only discovered on our last night after the second flamenco.  Fantastic tapas and wine for a grand total of Euros 23.  It was near the bullring and away from our Santa Cruz area. All of the prized bulls on the wall had some sort of plaque - no doubt stating how they died in the bullring.  I was just hoping none of them fell down on us while we were eating! 

Fortunately, they remained with their fixed stare, on the walls, overseeing the busy "bullring" below as the waiters rushed and turned and manoeuvred their way between the tables to meet the rush and the constant stream of diners entering and departing.

Flamenco

How could you not see flameco when in Seville?  It is the soul of Southern Spain - like bull fighting but far more enjoyable for all participants.

Jonathan is writing about the two flameco shows that we saw - for the purists ie we saw two small shows. However last year we saw one with lots of dancers and to me that is what most (non purists like me) enjoy most - the colour and spectacle of flamenco.

Colour and movement

To me, Seville is a place that has tremendous colour. In summer, it has extremely high temperatures (we were there last year in October - not summer - when it was an oppressive 38 degrees).  The weather in November was to our liking - and only a small amount of rain.  

Tiled plaques like these flow through the city in every couple of streests

The first thing you notice is the incredible greenery and the buildings in their vibrant colours and impressive surroundings and seemingly a church or Cathedral every 6 or so blocks.

The next thing are the open spaces or plazas, the horses and carriages (all with the coloour of yellow on the wheels of the carriage) and the number of people hoping to guide you and others through the wonders of the city.  No prizes for guessing that tourism is the main industry here.   No matter where you go (through out Europe and elsewhere I know), the great power of TripAdvisor pervades.  Everyone wants you to go onto TripAdvisor and give them that all important and often "make or break", favourable review.

Seville, was another favourite place.  Did I mention we liked Spain?  These are other reminders of the  city to me:

Exterior of colourful cathedrals

One of the little squares with its tiled seats, orange trees (where no one eats the bitter fruit) and the fresh white with yellow trim buildings -

Alleyways - with something to find at each turn:

Did you happen to notice we like yellow?

Seville - another beautiful place.  We are so lucky that we could include you in our gallivanting!