Blogs from Seville, Andalusia, Spain, Europe - page 3

A day for revisiting. Last day in Spain. The weather has been brilliant. Our feet have done the pavements big time. Sad to leave but look forward to Nice, which we know so well. Looking at a wee holiday in our holiday! The radio right now is playing "Everybody's dancing in the moonlight!" Since noting the abundance of trees we notice the birdlife too...not something you hear or see much of in Europe cities (except pigeons!).... read more

Very early up to catch the early sunrise on the buildings. The Plaza de Espana was very quiet...but not for long. A walk through the huge gardens...teams of people working in it....so tidy. Onto the Pavillion Mudéjar. Moorish influenced architecture. These buildings & gardens were built for the 1929 Expo here. Great to see the city decided to build in Spanish Mudéjar design instead of going way out contemporary. The traditional design techniques that are special to Spain have been preseved. Another Expo later in 1992 they did the complete opposite & they now appear abandoned....more of a business park all the same...just another building that went too far with new design. The gardens around the Expo centre is planted in Exotics only. Pleased we made the effort & got up early today. I especially enjoyed ... read more

Last day to look around Seville so over to the old town & came across a parade of the Madonna from the Caterina church.....I have seen these type of events on tv etc but to witness first hand was interesting. So emotional for the crowd they were in awe of the Statue....the band was so loud & the procession was so long. The crowd truely appeared to be blessed she had passed their way. We went on & came out at the Caterdal to find it was open & there were no tour groups... so of course we were in. Gothic in style it started as a Mosque & over time it grew & changed. 3rd largest Catherdral in the Christian world but the 1st largest Gothic temple in the world. We felt quite small.... Easy ... read more

Triana established it's name for Spanish Ceramics. The clay soils of the Quadalquivir are a particulary good source for making pottery. Ceramic Tiles (azulejos) are just everywhere & the modern buildings use them as well. The Ceramics began here in the Islamic period then the Spanish-Muslim ceramists contributed the glazing techniques to architecture, in facades, sunrooms, baseboards & ceilings. Since then the Mudejar adopted oriental techniques that formed the basis of the local style. Then came the Mosaics & tiles usually hand painted with popular motifs. Eventually came an industrial process of wooden moulds. And being made in Triana the Plaza de Espana is covered in tiles too! And so today consisted of a walk to the incredible Plaza de Espana. Built in 1929. 50,000 sq metres, gates are open to the public free. Amazing!! The ... read more

Well! we were awake before our 3am wakeup alarm! Breakfast at 2.30am is sure to upset the Cicaydia rythyms. Even our Transfer ride was early. An uneventful transfer all the way to our apartment in Seville. Leaving Malta which isn't too far away from Sicily, we could see the top of Etna through the clouds on our way out. Then over the top of Africa to the South of Spain. We are in the Marcarena area of Savilla. We strolled for awhile through the old town of Marcarena & were finally able to book into our place in the afternoon. An amazing apartment of the 19th Centuary highly decorated with 19thCentuary tiles. We've got the huge ceiling fan going instead of aircondtionining...yae!!! Very organised city & reasonably quiet approach to life. A little supermarket on the ... read more