Seville 14th& 15th

 

Today we spent the morning on another wander about Triana before our booked time to visit the Seville Cathedral. 

The site had been a mosque built by the Moors in the 12th century, which yet another earthquake damaged. The Roman Catholic cathedral was started in 1403 and completed in 1506. The Spanish wanted to show their power and wealth. Contains some 40,000 kgs of gold no less.  Absolutely colossal at 42m high, 100m wide and 135m in length. It is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world whilst only the Vatican and St Pauls beat it for size as a Cathedral.

it took some chap two years to carve every thing you see here.

The dome of the cathedral has collapsed twice; 1511 architect error (he was dismissed) then 1888 an earthquake.

Marble from Italy and Seville, which is slightly pink in colour.

 

Supposedly Christopher Coloumbus's remains are held here but in fact it is just some of his bones brought from the Dominican Republic where he died.

This massive relic is carried in the procession on Semana Santa ; the week before Easter. The biggest religious week for Roman Catholics.

The bell tower was quite something. Bottom half is Muslim then Christian. 

At 94m high there are 45 ramps leading up the tower that the muslim cleric used to ride a donkey up for him to conduct the call to prayer. The Christians then used stairs to top it off when they extended the tower. Great views over the city.

From the bell tower you can see Seville's bull ring. 

So we were two of the 1.2 million tourists who visit the cathedral in a year. Pleased we went but had had enough of over the top architecture and ostentatious relics by days end. 

So next morning we look out our apartment window as we were packing up for the bus to Granada and what do we see....the procession Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador.

Seville is well worth visiting, had a nice feel. Highlight was the Alcazar.

On the bus to Granada an easy 3hr journey. Buses are comfortable. Countryside was hectares olives, not a lot else.

A bit like endless vineyards in Marlborough or fir trees in Canada but with the odd solar farm thrown in.

Our accommodation in Granada another apartment, a bit cosy but it will be fine. Twenty minutes walk from the Alhambra which we be doing tomorrow.

A Spanish red after another days adventures.