Seville! What a wonderful city. It has a different feel to it than many of the cities in the southern part of Spain that I have already had the privilege of enjoying. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why I waited so long to go there. As it is, I finally did spend six glorious days in Seville and plan to return again. Taking a train from Malaga, it was an easy and comfortable two-hour-plus ride. Arriving on the day before Easter Sunday, I had hoped to enjoy the big culminating processions of Semana Santa. Alas, that was not meant to be because it rained and as was par for the course, everything was cancelled. But, no worries. There was more than enough to entertain me despite that initial disappointment.
Our airbnb
I rented an airbnb casita (little house) that suited me and my husband to an absolute tee. It was a private room with its own bathroom and lovely little terrace. The main house, a grand old house, was located in a favored neighborhood that made it possible for us to access everything that we wanted to see by foot. However, plenty of taxis abound. Maria, our host, is a charming woman who took care of us like we were family. She even insisted on feeding us a lovely breakfast on the day of our departure. The services that she is willing to provide include home-cooked meals, laundry and great conversation. She loves meeting people from all over the world and bends over backwards to make you feel at home. (See Maria’s page on airbnb)
Maria Luisa Park
We were a stones throw away from the Maria Luisa Park, a lush oasis in the city center that also showcases the Plaza de Espana. The first time we stumbled across this spectacular building complete with moat, balconies, gardens and arched bridges, we were astounded. It came as a complete surprise. It was like entering a storybook world. Spain built this incredible structure in 1928. The Ibero-American Exposition of 1929 was their attempt to put Seville back on the map.
Plaza de Espana
The Cathedral which sits side-by-side with the Alcazar, a fortress castle, is a ten minute walk further into the city center. Plan to see both, inside and out. The Alcazar was where Queen Isabella discussed future plans with Christopher Columbus. It will take several hours, longer if you are tempted to linger in the many gardens, to see the entire place but well worth the time. The moorish influence is indisputably spectacular. Such intricacy of design in ceilings, arches, windows and courtyards will not disappoint.
The Alcazar
Cross the bridge and spend the better part of a day in barrio Triana, often referred to as the gypsy quarters. Here, the long history of tile making is apparent in the buildings which sport highly decorated interiors and exteriors creating a colorful display that really brightens up the village.
The tile work of Triana
Food is outstanding and reasonably priced. The city center offers an almost never ending array of sidewalk cafes, restaurants, flamenco shows, beer, wine, tapas — the whole ball of wax. Wherever you turn your head, there are plenty of museums and other fantastic examples of ornate architecture. Wide avenues of shade tress, fountains and plazas make the city uniquely inviting. You will never lack for a place to sit and watch the people coming and going.
This blog post was first published May 7, 2014 on Creative Paths to Freedom.
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