The END: Sevilla

Our trip came to a conclusion in Sevilla, which boomed back in the 1600's, with famous artists, flamingo dancing, and bullfighting.  It was originally Spain's largest and wealthiest city, but then the harbor silted up and the Spanish empire crumbled (misuse of their new world funds...).  In modern times Sevilla was to raise from the ashes by doing a world's fair in 1929, just before the market crashed... super bummer.  They got another chance in 1992 with another world's fair.  Below is Plaza de Espana which was built for the 1929 fair and recently restored.  Sevilla is known for it's tile, and each county is portrayed in tile around the base of the building.

Torre de Oro (Gold Tower) was the starting and ending point for all shipping in the New World to this river port.  All the gold and silver from Peru got unloaded right here.

In 1401 a brick mosque was taken down and this huge cathedral (3rd largest in the world) was erected over the next 120 years.

The main doors are huge, with statues of the apostles on either side

In the cathedral is the coffin of Columbus being "carried" on the shoulders of these statues, representing the four regions of Spain.  He was originally buried in Spain (1506), then in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, then Cuba, and finally - when Cuba gained independence from Spain (1900)-  he was shipped back to Sevilla... a real jet setter.

Above: Bartolome Murillo was a popular painter in the 1600's.  He was the son of a Sevillian barber who started doing paintings to export to the Americas, but the Spanish loved his style and he became rich and famous, living in high society, but still a good family man.  Here his painting hangs high up in the capula, but I got a close up with my telephoto lens.  Below is his home.

The baptistry.... no immersion here, just a sprinkle.

This is a 110 pound silver float, is taken out to parade through town during Corpus Christi festivities.

Way up in the copula is God, looking down on the heavenly host, and the sinners.

This tower was the only part of the former mosque to stay intact.  We climbed the ramp to the top where the Moors road a horse up 5 times a day to ring the bell for prayer.

This was the view climbing up the tower and looking down on the cathedral.

 

I loved the sidewalk cafe's.  Sometimes you feel like you are eating right in the middle of the street as the cars go by just feet from your table.

Jews thrived under the Moors, but in 1391 Christian mobs ransacked the city's Jewish quarter (below), killing 4,000 and driving 5,000 Jewish families out of their homes.  The pogram spread throughout Europe from here.  Remaining Jews had to convert to Christianity, be killed, or leave.  Those that converted were never trusted as true Christians and were accused of everything from poisoning wells to ritually sacrificing Christian babies.  This led the Monarchs, Isabel and Ferdinand, to establish the Inquisition in Spain (1478), which was not a pretty sight, and Jews left Spain to go to Portugal and eventually Holland.  Today this is known as the barrio, with narrow lanes and buildings only an arms width apart.  In the summer, this is a popular place to get lost in as the closeness of the buildings produces shade.

The painter, Murillo was buried in a church in this plaza that is now destroyed and buried beneath.  All kinds of interesting history...

These young boys are getting ready for the parades.  No, they are not the Ku Klux Klan.  They will represent the penitent (those who repent anonymously) during Semana Santa - Holy Week.  This week before Easter is when 60 neighborhood groups (brotherhoods) parade from their neighborhood churches to the cathedral with floats depicting some aspect of the Passion story.

Couldn't help it.  I love the doors.

I thought this was interesting as I was people watching.  Everyone is properly dressed to attend church services, but they are really here to see the parades go by (actually thousands come from out of town to watch).  I was impressed how the dress code was like a bunch of Mormons going to conference.  In today's world?  Wow.

Loved these little Spanish boys

The cathedral as night approaches.  Disappointed Sunday dressed spectators have waited all day for the parades, but on and off rain has kept them from coming out.

Word travels fast and quickly the square fills up as bodies are pressed together to catch a glimpse of the first parade to go by.

No expense is spared on these floats, decked with gold, jewels, and real flowers.  They are carried on the backs of strong young men who change places every 20 minutes with a revolving crew.

Notice the pendants with the blue hoods.  The symbolism is that repentance is between you and God and is done privately.

Night shot of the wall of the Alcazar - Palace built by the Moors in the 10th century, and still serving as royal diggs to the current royal family.  Do the math.  This is the oldest still working palace in Europe.

Unlike the mosques which were leveled and built over, this palace remains Moorish.

Yep, you got it, the Moors and their painted plaster work.  

We got to tour the Spanish part of the palace, but no picture taking was allowed.  It was beautiful though.

Below was my favorite part:  extensive gardens and fountains. From the extended elevated walkway (on right) you could look down into this huge garden.  What a delight!!

Notice the manicured hedge, arching to form a doorway.

The end.