Tag Archives: Seville

“Pic of the Week”, February 3, 2023: Old Fortified Wall, Seville

The walls of Seville surrounded the Old Town portion of the city. The first walls were constructed by the Romans almost two millenia ago. The walls were maintained and updated over the centuries and portions of them still remain, especially around the Alcázar and in the barrio de la Macarena.
This section of the old wall likely dates to the 12th century Moorish period of the city, although it was modified about 200 years ago. It contains one of the city’s few surviving gates.
(Click on thumbnails below to enlarge the photo)

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Karl on Feb 2, 2023 | Comments Off

“Pic of the Week”, December 23, 2022: Plaza de Toros, Seville

Bullfighting remains a popular sport in parts of Spain, especially in Seville. Here you can visit Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest bullrings in the world. The arena’s construction began in 1762 and was completed in 1881; it can hold up to 14,000 spectators, making it competitive with most popular sports.

(Inside of Seville’s bullfighting arena, courtesy Wikimedia and Harlock20)

My wife stopped by the arena late in the day so we didn’t have a chance to do a guided tour, which I think would have been interesting. Besides visiting the inside of the arena (you need to take a tour or see a bullfight to do so), the tour includes a visit to a museum of bullfighting, the chapel where …

Karl on Dec 23, 2022 | Comments Off

“Pic of the Week”, January 18, 2019: The Metropol Parasol, Seville

It’s hard to miss the massive Metropol Parasol, which is said to be the “World’s Largest Wooden Structure”. Not sure how to verify such a claim but it certainly is large. It measures 150 x 70 meters (490 x 230 ft) and is about 26 meters (85 ft) tall.

The structure was designed by German architect Jurgen Mayer and was completed in 2011 as part of the revitalization at Plaza de la Encarnacion. It consists of 6 interwoven large mushroom-like structures built of birch panels which provide welcome shaded relief from the warm Spanish sun.

Metropol Parasol is one of Seville’s newer structures and is becoming an icon. It’s home to a museum (with Roman and Moorish ruins displayed), a market, restaurant …

Karl on Jan 17, 2019 | Comments Off

“Pic of the Week”, April 20, 2018: Views of Seville

For over 800 years the tower of Seville’s magnificent cathedral (the Giralda) stood as the tallest structure in the city, built at 103 m. Completed in 1195, it was originally the minaret of the Aljama mosque before it became the bell tower of a Christian Church. The structure took 12 years to build.

The name Giralda means “she who turns” after the weather vane on top of the tower. The figure on the weather vane, called El Giraldillo, represents faith.

The Giralda, originally used for calling faithful Muslims to prayer and as an observatory, was highly valued by the Moors. There were plans to destroy it before the Christian conquest of the city in 1248, but a threat by King Alfonso X …

Karl on Apr 19, 2018 | Comments Off

Seville’s Awesome Cathedral!

Karl on Apr 10, 2018 with Comments Off

Seville’s cathedral, Santa Maria de la Sede, is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cathedral was built in the 15th century (1401 to 1506 A.D.) on the site of the 12th century Aljama mosque. Portions of the mosque survive within the Cathedral’s structure, most notably the belltower known as Giralda.

Seville’s Cathedral is very popular with visitors and unless you arrive early or late, you’ll likely have to wait in line to purchase your ticket. It’s one of the most magnificent churches I’ve ever seen, and I found it well worth the wait and price of admission. While you wait in line you’ll have time to study and enjoy some of the beautiful craftsmanship adorning the …

Tagged Cathedral, Christopher Columbus, Giralda, Gothic, Seville, UNESCO World Heritage Site

“Pic of the Week”, November 10, 2017: Las Teresas Tapas Bar, Sevilla, Spain

05 An Evening walk in Santa Cruz, Seville (109)

While exploring the winding alleys and lanes in Seville’s old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, one of the people showing us around suggested we stop for a snack at a small tapas bar. We were all game because it looked like an interesting place.

Founded in 1870, Las Teresas has been run by the same family for almost a century. Las Teresas is what a typical, traditional tapas bar feels like and I was charmed by it. There are, of course, a number of Iberian hams (jamón) hanging from the ceiling. I loved the old feel to the place and how the walls were plastered with memorabilia. The food we tried was extremely good. The service was friendly and the clientele …

Karl on Nov 9, 2017 | Comments Off

“Pic of the Week”, October 13, 2017: Christopher Columbus’ tomb, Seville

One of the most popular attractions within Seville’s fabulous Cathedral is this unusual tomb, constructed in honor of famous resident, Christopher Columbus. The great 15th century explorer, widely celebrated for his successes, died in poverty in Valladolid. The tomb itself is more recent, from 1892, with statues of four royal bearers carrying the suspended tomb.

Columbus traveled far in life but likely even further in death. Posthumously his remains have journeyed from Northwestern Spain to Seville, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the USA and finally back to Seville. With all that travel, one might begin to wonder if this is indeed the remains of Christopher Columbus, but recent DNA tests were pretty convincing that this tomb does hold Columbus remains.

(Click on thumbnails …

Karl on Oct 12, 2017 | Comments Off