Cadiz and Seville

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Cadiz is our gateway to Southern Spain and the starting point for our tour of Seville. What an interesting city Seville is. Being from California when we talk about old this or that we are thinking in terms of 150 to 200 years back. Here I have to learn to deal with 12th century forward. My mind is having a hard time computing the input.

Our first stop is the "Royal Alcazars of Seville, a royal palace in Seville. Originally a Moorish fort, the Alcazar has been expanded several times. Most of the modern Alcázar was built over Moorish ruins for King Pedro of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) with construction beginning in 1364. Pedro used Moorish workers to build his palace giving it a distinctly Islamic design. The palace is one of the best remaining examples of an architectural style under Christian rule in Spain but using Islamic architectural influence. Subsequent monarchs have added their own additions to the Alcázar. Most of the old buildings in Europe use carved marble or granite for decorations. The Alcazar uses carved plaster for decorations. Most include a very intricate design that is repeated.
Our next stop was the Cathedral of Seville. The Cathedral of Seville is a World Wonder. It is the Largest Cathedral of Spain, the third largest Cathedral (by square footage) in the entire world; if one made comparisons solely by the interior air volume this Cathedral might be the largest in the world. If you had visited this spot in the 12th and 13th.Centuries you would have had the opportunity to visit the Almohade Mosque. Today, almost all signs of the Mosque are gone, in its place a Christian Gothic Cathedral started in 1401. The Cathedral took just a little over 100 years to complete, retaining only the Patio Naranjos and the Giralda Tower from the former Mosque. While were visiting, we observed at least 3 wedding parties in various stages of getting married. Two things got our attention in this Cathedral. First, the main alter is completely covered in gold leaf. Second, there is a memorial to Columbus inside the Church. Other than that, lots of old carvings, old paintings and stained glass windows. Unfortunately, I found it very difficult to get good pictures but did manage a few.

Leaving the Cathedral, we proceeded to a Hotel for lunch. We have had many lunches on tour in various cities. This lunch had to be the worst ever. In the basement of the Hotel they had set up a single buffet table that could be accessed from either end but on opposite sides. One the left side you got your salad first and your hot dish last, if you started from the other (right) end, you got your hot dish first and your salad last. The real problem was not the food, it was not bad, but there were about 15 bus loads (40 to 50 people each) all trying to get in line at the same time because they only allotted an hour for lunch. So many people complained, someone from the Hotel got the bright idea to start an additional line from the right (salad) side with the result we had two lines going opposite directions and all trying to serve from the same platters. Believe me, it got ugly for a while. Anyway, while we ate, we had three female flamenco dancers perform. After lunch we visited the Plaza de Espana where the Government Buildings are and the Plaza de America’s displays of elaborate tile work. Back on board, we had our afternoon snack and enjoyed watching the ship leave the dock at Cadiz. Cadiz as it turns out is a resort city of sorts. The beach area is lined with high-rise apartments to accommodate the people from inland when they come to the beach for holiday. We did not see much of Cadiz because of our all day tour of Seville. Weather could not be better with full sun and a little breeze. Sailing tonight for Casablanca. Marci is a little up tight about going ashore but we are looking forward to it. Will be touring Casablanca and Rabat the capital.

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Photos

The Cathedral of Seville
The main altar covered in gold leaf

The Cathedral of Seville
A monument to Columbus in the Cathedral

Comments

[Gus_Granada_Spain]

Just a minor correction: it's not a Columbus memorial, it's the tomb where Columbus is buried.

[Macjava]

Seville
Gus, thanks for the correction. Our trip covered a lot of country and a lot of information is a few days. I opted to take pictures and then try to remember what was explained rather than concentrate on what the guide said and miss some pictures. Somewhere along the way facts and details got lost. Will be covering our stop in Barcelonna in a couple of days, let me know what you thinkk. Macjava