Favorite Corners - Seville
Seville was the place where we learned the practicality of the siesta. Between 3pm and 7pm (exact hours varied), shops and restaurants closed their doors and darkened their windows. At first, we stayed out, but a few harsh afternoon suns later, we found ourselves going home when the city quieted and then emerging to enjoy the evenings. This Favorite Corners really is just the highlights of Seville, and to be fair, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral probably deserve their own posts. However, because of our unusual hours, we didn't take a lot of other pictures. So, we present to you, Seville, in one post.
Walking along the Guadalquivir river watching paddle boarders and boaters float by.
The beautiful Plaza de España (so wide it barely fit into a panorama shot) was built for an expo in 1929 and is still being used for city events. We went on a Sunday, and it was packed with families participating in children's races.
No, this isn't a church. This is one of the wings of Seville's Museum of Fine Arts.
The Metropol Parasol was designed to look like six mushrooms. There are Roman ruins underneath (after this trip, I'm starting to wonder where in Europe there aren't Roman ruins) restaurants in the middle, and city views up top.
The Alcázar of Seville is the royal palace (the upstairs areas are still being used). The Mudéjar designs here are similar to the Alhambra, but different in other ways. Here's one of the intricate carved ceilings.
An elaborate doorway leading between rooms.
The Baths of Lady Maria de Padilla are actually rainwater tanks and a cool place to visit. Literally. They are under the Alcázar and a nice place to beat the heat after wandering the vast royal gardens.
A small sample of what can be seen in the royal gardens.
Okay, we've seen a lot of street performers on this trip, but there was something calming about this guy playing Spanish guitar while his boat rocks in the street and Nemo sways with a cup in his mouth.
Seville's Cathedral is the largest Gothic church in the world.
Inside the world's largest Gothic church is the world's largest altarpiece carved with 45 scenes from the life of Christ.
If you head towards a large crowd of people taking pictures around a casket carried by for men, you'll find the final resting place of Christopher Columbus.
Towering 90 meters into the sky, La Giralda was originally a minaret. It still retains the Moorish arched windows and a ramp inside that spirals up to the top which is big enough for a person to ride a horse up to do the call to prayer. When the Spanish took over, they turned it into the Cathedral's bell tower.
We walked up La Giralda's ramp and ascended the later-added flights of steps to the bell tower for awesome 360 degree views of Seville.