Sevilla

We deliberately timed our visit to Sevilla to coincide with the Feria (the biggest annual festival in all Andalucia) and though this meant we missed the pleasure of the springtime scent of orange blossom and jasmine, which apparently permeates the entire city, it was a small price to pay for the incredible spectacle of the Feria and the extraordinarily lively atmosphere in the streets of this vibrant and joyous city with its striking Arab and Gothic architecture. (Separate posting on the Feria).



The most striking impact for me in Sevilla was the contrast of the intimacy of the narrow cramped streets with their dozens of little tapas bars and restaurants, flowered balconies and richly decorated facades sitting alongside, and totally dwarfed by, the vast and imposing buildings - the cathedral, the Giralda, the Alcazar (see separate postings) - the wide open plazas with their magnificent fountains, broad pedestrianised areas, the super modern tram system.




Exquisite tiles just about everywhere! I have read somewhere that perhaps wallpaper was banned some years ago in Sevilla! Quite believable since absolutely everywhere is covered with the most delightful intricately designed and colourful tiles from the most basic loo upwards! It is certainly a city of contrasts and one I would happily spend a few months exploring - four days allowed little more than a taste and glimpse of this exciting and wonderful city, much bigger than I had imagined and made all the better I guess by being blessed with blue skies and sunshine.

We were on our feet all day only returning, very foot-weary, to our little typically Andalucian courtyarded hotel in the evening to shower and change then go and seek out the perfect little place to wine and dine and take time to let all the day's experiences and sights sink in.

We managed to fit in a leisurely boat ride up the river Guadalquivir and a fun ride through the city on an open top bus - from where we had a wonderful view of all the carriages passing by with an occasional high-spirited greeting from the passengers on their way to the Feria!



I have never seen such a building as exists in the Plaza de Espana - a semi-circular building of 200 meters - an incredible sight. We stopped a while outside San Jorge Church when we noticed stylishly dressed guests (as is typical for Spanish weddings) gathering for a wedding and then watched as the bride arrived with her father in a horse drawn carriage - brought a tear to the eye - she looked so beautiful dressed in her delicately styled cream gown.

Plaza de Espana and San Jorge Church



We also visited the bullring - during Feria week the first rate matadors from all over Spain are drawn for the daily bullfights held during this week but we were very uncertain about spectating at such an event - another time perhaps!

Sevilla is certainly a wonderful city in so many ways with so much to see, do and explore and 4 days just didn't do it justice and photographs certainly don't though I can't resist popping in a few!