A witty yet informative commentary on our travels to England, Scotland, Spain and Italy.
Around the town
First stop after the Plaza de Toros was the Mushroom – of the Metropol Parasol as it is officially called. Wooden. Represents six connected parasols apparently. Obviously the locals have other ideas. Was supposed to help regenerate this area but has that slight feel of something plonked in the area that isnt quite working. Also not working was the entry to the rather impressive Roman ruins in the basement. But view from the top made up for that. The lift had a slightly Trades feel to it. After this J and I decided to walk separately to pursue different cultural interests. We had already spotted a fabric shop………
Across the road from the Mushroom is La Iglesia de la Annuciacion. Started in 1579. In need of some restoration work but it must be an issue of so many churches and only so much money. The three pictures in the middle row are dioramas. There was a stack of them on display from different churches in different parts of the country. All different takes on the Nativity.
Next Church was La Iglesia del Salvador. Its a Baroque church. Its the second baroque church on this site. The first one was built between 1674 and 1679 but collapsed just after completion (on 24 October no less). So this one is a lot stronger. But the site has a longer history. There was a mosque on it dating from around 830 which the Christians adapted for their use after the conquest in 1248. So it probably was looking shabby by 1674. But wait – there’s more. To build the mosque the Muslims demolished an Visigoth church built within a Roman basilica. Layers of history.Next stop the Cathedral. Its a vast Gothic construction. Biggest church by volume in the world apparently. But big does not always mean better. Bit underwhelmed by it to be honest. Top row of pictures the tomb of Christopher Columbus. He died in Spain but his remains were moved around a bit and ended up in Cube. When Cuba became independent in 1898 he was brought back to Seville. There has been recent debate about whether the right remains are him or not. According to the Cathedral and the ever correct, all knowing Wikipedia, DNA testing has shown that they are iin fact his…….Best thing about the Cathedral is that you get to go up the tower or La Giralda. 98.5 metres high. It was a Muslim minaret to 51 metres and then a Christian bell tower added. Walk a a sloping ramp which is supposedly wide enough for a horse to ride up – at least for the minaret part. Gives great views over the city.
Hame Away From Home 