TRADITIONAL & WHIMSICAL
Sevilla or Seville in English is a city of surprises. With about 725,000 people, it’s twice the population of Granada, yet not a huge city like Barcelona or Madrid. Our hotel is in the old town and once was a home that housed several families all living together. It has two courtyards and two levels of rooms around these interior open-air spaces.
On our first day, we walked a bit on our own. In the evening, with guide Manuel, we sampled the fare at two bars/tapas places.
At Bodega La Aurora, we had some local cheese wedges and a bit of fino sherry; going on, we enjoyed Iberian ham, bread, croquettes, a crispy round chickpea cracker with tiny shrimps in it, and some red wine. We had had a substantial lunch, so this was “dinner” Spanish style.
We also went to see Setas de Seville (Seville Mushrooms) an all wood installation of mushroom-shaped parasols in a large square. It is imposing and whimsical at the same time. Designed by the German architect Jurgen Mayer, its official title is Metropol Parasol. Construction began in 2005 and was finished in 2011.
We’ve seen nothing else like it anywhere else. For the price of a ticket, it’s possible to go up top for a view of the city.
PLAZA DE ESPANA
In 1929, Seville hosted the Iber0-American Exposition. The very expansive Plaza de España or “Square of Spain” was built for this occasion in Renaissance Revival style architecture and designed by Anibal Gonzalez. The semi-circular complex with two towers and four bridges is monumental and breathtakingly beautiful.
Spain has 52 provinces or counties and each one of them is represented in tiled alcove with a historic scene, its coat of arms, and a person associated with that province. Within the alcove, there is low bench seating. Each alcove is different and a detailed work of art.
Huelva province was the home of Christopher Columbus and the scene in the center of that alcove shows him and his ships. Each alcove also has a map on the floor showing where that province is located in Spain.
The plaza itself is part of Maria Luisa Park and there are impressive entry gates as well as some exposition buildings. I thought this white domed building was particularly striking.
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
