Today, while Neil worked, we simply wandered through the narrow streets of Sevilla for many hours, just absorbing the historic city and hoping to find the Jewish Quarter (Barrio Santa Cruz).
We didn’t approach the colourful clownThe iconic Giralda, which started out as a minaret for the Great Mosque of Sevilla. We learnt from our segway guide (more on that in a later post) that instead of stairs to the top, there are ramps because it allowed the imam to ride his horse up the tower five times a day to call the devout to prayer. The Catholics added a Renaissance portion above, including a bell and cross. It is the tallest historical building in Seville at ~100 m – the law in Seville is that no building can be taller than the Giralda. The walls of the Royal Alcázar. We learnt from our segway guide that this is an active palace and the king of Spain can choose to stay here, however, he doesn’t as this would mean the palace would have to close and thus result in a significant loss of tourist revenue.Some incredibly narrow cobblestone streets where pedestrians snug themselves into doorways while the vehicle pass by, their tires squeaking against the curbs. Sometimes we’d start down a street, only to have to retreat to a doorway when a vehicle turned in.Lots of these little cleanup vehicles and police patrolling the downtown core.Tile is ubiquitous, from street signs to shop signs to murals.We have come to realize how important the arts are to Sevilla: musicians, dance, tile, sculpture and painting.Stop for churros y chocolate.Apparently Sevilla is quite a centre for rowers, especially in the fall and winter. In the summer, we still see lots of practices. The kids have been trying to identify the different flags they see on the sculls – the ones with flags are almost always accompanied by a motorized boat and the driver calling instructions through a loudspeaker.Clara Campoamor, an important Spanish politician who fought for women’s rights and suffrage. We didn’t know this when we first saw the monument but were very taken with the seemingly whimsical details on the statue.
After a break at the apartment and dinner, we were back out exploring, this time with Neil.
Perfume store (we didn’t let the kids inside!)In Santa Cruz, the Jewish Quarter, houses from the 16th century had mill stones on the wall (the large circular stones on the right side below the window). These are called “botarruedas” – mill stones added to protect the walls from the axles of passing carriages – imagine the streets were even narrower and there were no sidewalks!We were often distracted by glimpses into courtyards.One side of the Giralda under restoration. At the top is a special weather vane and 25 bells thats ring for special occasions – we haven’t heard them yet.Flying buttresses at the Cathedral – we couldn’t do the roof tour as Felix is a year too young.Soooo many limes just out of reach.And oranges (though apparently the Seville oranges are far too bitter to eat straight anyhow).We think these giants are ficus trees.Flamenco exhibitUpper stories of a houseIn the heart of shopping district, the kids got paper cards with their name sewn in real time.Calle Agua (Water Street) – it supposedly used to have an aqueduct on top.One of the entrances to the Jardin de Murillo (he’s a famous Spanish Baroque painter). We’ll come back another day to explore these gardens as it’s time to get the kids home to bed.
