Seville |
Other opinions
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Old town
Inner Sevilla
Not to be missed, the narrow streets, the interior "pateos", flowers everywhere, cast iron windows, I mean... Spain at its best. It deserves two different visits: in the afternoon, protected from the sun, to feel colors and shapes, and by night, to "live" the city, and watch "flamenco" in one of the many "tablaos". Well... this was my vision in summer. |
I've been there again in winter, and... less flowers, closed "pateos", but always pretty, and always... spanish.
Santa Cruz quarter
Pateos The landmark of Santa Cruz is the beauty of the inner "pateos", decorated with flower pots. In winter it looses something, because the "pateos" are closed and with less flowers. Time to enhance the iron works in doors and windows. |
Venerables Hospital Discreetly located in one of the narrow streets of Santa Cruz, this two floors building is one of the most important of Baroque in Seville. It has a peculiar courtyard with high level arcades. Built in the 17th century and originally a residence to priests, it houses today Velasquez centre. |
San Salvador church
Altamira Palace
St Ildefonso church
Ayuntamiento
Constitution Avenue
The cathedral
Large and rich
This perfect example of Gothic architecture, enriched with the Muslim tower of Giralda and "pateos", it's a cool place in the furnace of Seville, with lots of treasures to justify a long and relaxing visit, with special evidence to Colon's tomb. Built in the beginning of the 15th century, it is the third largest church in the world, and so beautiful, that I must not waste your time describing some of the beauties that you need to discover locally by yourself, with the help of a good guide. |
However, if it means nothing to you, there's another reason to approach it - It is also the central place from where horse ridden carts depart, covering the touristy area in the easiest way to do it.
Beauty and size The minaret of the old mosque was kept when, in the 16th century, the mosque was demolished to build the cathedral. Later on, an earthquake destroyed its top, replaced by a belfry and topped with a four meters high statue that turns according to the wind. Giralda is a Spanish name to weather vane. |
Pateo de los Naranjos The only things that remain from the mosque built in the 12th century and replaced by the cathedral are the tower - Giralda - and the adjacent cloister, called Pateo de los Naranjos because it is all planted with orange trees. The Muslim origins can be clearly seen in one of its doors, called Puerta del Perdon. |
Alcazar
Flags square
Inside the walls, the only visitable area of the closed Alcazar in
Inside the walls, the only visitable area of the closed Alcazar in
January 1st, was this square, whose name comes from the tradition to display there the flags of the royal visitors to the palace.
Triumph square
Jerez door
Torre del Oro
Torre de Plata
Maria Luisa park
Beautiful new building In 1929 a very beautiful building was made near Maria Luísa park, for the Spanish-American Exhibition. Today, it is used by the government, and it is a great detail, contrasting with the green of the park, generally easy to visit because of its proximity to the historical centre. |
Works
PLaza de Espanha and its surroundings were suffering strong restrictions, caused by many current works. The beautiful tiled panels in the Plaza were covered, but they reproduced the originals in the fences. A nice idea, but suggesting that the works are there to last. Well... not anymore, I hope! |
Isla Magica
I didn't go there, because I had no time, but could see from distance that some of the buildings that I visited during EXPO 92 still stand in the island. I know that the area around the lake was transformed in an amusement park. More than using the attractions installed in the park, I'm curious to compare with the original that I still have in memory, but it has to wait... just a few more days! Website: http://www.islamagica.es/ |