Just a few block from our apartment is an incredible structure – the  Plaza de Espana.  It was built in 1928 for the Ibero- American Exposition to showcase Spain’s industry and technology exhibits. It’s a huge half-circle building that encompasses a moat with bridges that represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain.  In the center is the Vicente Traver fountain.  It’s been used as a filming location for movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and a couple of the Star Wars flicks.  Today it contains mostly government offices.

This building is lined with unique tiled alcoves, each representing a different province or town within Spain  The girl in the blue skirt is standing in front of one of them.

Each alcove is unique and very ornate, and tells something about that community – history or otherwise.

This is one of the entry portals if you enter from the outside of the building, vs. coming from the park to the open side of the semi-circle building.  It hinted of the grandeur you were about to see.

Tile work everywhere – even rails and balisters.

As with most of the incredible buildings in Seville, my little camera cannot do them justice – I can only show you pieces-parts.

This aerial photo gives a better perspective, with the dark blue “D” shape a moat/waterway.   Above the building and a little to the right is the university building (large square) that we wandered through, and included a photo of in a previous post.  The Cathedral is just out of view in the upper right corner.  The green to the left is the huge Maria Luisa park, which goes almost to the river.

A Saturday afternoon queue to rent row boats to ply the moat.

Dad letting Jr. do the work.  Just previous to this shot he was getting a lesson in steering.  I think they’re looking at the bride & groom on the bridge.

Understandably a popular wedding venue.  We didn’t stand around and stare – just snapped a photo as we were passing.  Both of them were wiping tears away – very sweet.

We’re headed off to Faro, Portugal today via bus, but I still have a couple of more Seville posts in the works.  First time in Portugal! – Laura

Both Dave & I agree that that this city is jaw-dropping.  Around every turn are architecturally beautiful buildings, churches, plazas, towers and works of art.  Many shopping side streets are pedestrian only, and public transportation (which we haven’t had to use yet) abounds.

Catching some sun by the Rio Guadalquivir, with runs through the city.

AGAIN the young ladies ask Dave to take their photo.  What’s up with this?

Oh, if I could only reach them.

The Golden Tower (borrowed photo), an example of Moorish architecture, was build as a defense tower in the 12th century and now houses a naval museum.  We visited the museum, and were able to climbed to the roof – not the top tower – where the next photo was taken from.

The Giralda Tower and the “Cathedral”, which is the largest Gothic temple in the world and third largest Christian church in the world.  We’re touring it today so will do a separate post.  Pretty impressive! – Laura

The tradition of bullfighting is still carried on here.  The construction of Seville’s ring started in 1761 and lasted for 120 years.  We toured the compound, and it was hard to believe it can hold 12,000.  It looks smaller.  The fights, which run from April to October, sell out, with the seats on the shady side of the ring  costing you double.

The guide, in the red jacket (of course) did a fine job of narrating in Spanish, then English.   We didn’t get to go on the actual field 🙁  I recall when  Dad & I toured Europe we did wander a coliseum field, and he reenacted a lion/Christian battle.

Included was a tour of the museum on site.  It contained 5 rooms of history and artifacts by century, plus a room of bullfighting related art work – prints and paintings.  The suit in the showcase above belonged to a prodigy fighter.  He started at age 9, was ‘the best” at 14, and died in the ring at 25.  The exceptional matadors are quite the heroic figures.

Apparently if the bull does an exceptional job of ‘fighting’, the judge can allow him to live.  It’s happened here – twice in the last few centuries.  Not good odds for the bull, who otherwise ends up in the butcher shop.

Exterior of the building.

We happened upon a Bull fighting trade show, where kids could practice in a mini-ring, capes and such were for sale, and you could buy your own bull (?).   Laura

The bus ride from Ronda to Seville was not near as twisty as the one to Ronda.  After a short ride out of the hills, it was mostly level through the rolling farmlands.  Another blue-sky day.

Beautiful bus station.  We collected a map and ventured onto the wide streets of Seville.

A no-go when we arrived 10 minutes later at our door.  Phoning our Spanish-speaking-only hostess revealed she did not receive our emails (?) noting our arrival time.  Luckily there was a café with outdoor seating RIGHT next door where we got to know the regulars (and the neighborhood traffic)  for the next 2 hours.   Actually, I took off to the tourist bureau to collect tourist literature while Dave read.  Ah, Spain!  🙂  Laura