Of course, the first place Koos and I always go is to the waterside (eerst naar de waterkant, as they say in Dutch), and we were much impressed by this amazing old tree leaning over the banks of the Guadalquivir. On the subject of the river, the stretch that runs through the city is actually still water. Its main tidal course was re-routed to the west of the city in the 20th century to prevent flooding, and continues on to Cordoba and beyond. Apparently, however, navigation is only possible up to Seville, and only when the tide is coming in. The port of Seville is in the reach of the river that runs through the city, and is behind a large lock. From what I've read, though, flooding can still be an issue as in both 2006 and 2010, the city suffered from severe floods, and it was even worse in 1963.
For those interested, there's an interesting article about Seville and the Guadalquivir here.
We had a lovely walk along the riverside, which is very popular with the locals. I liked the sculpture above; it was created for some very philanthropic purposes that I'm afraid I've forgotten now. I completely failed to make a note of the plaque that told us who the sculptor was and what it was for. Maybe one of the readers here knows what it commemorates?
My apologies for the slightly skew photos below. I normally straighten my snaps as it drives me nuts if things aren't level or properly vertical, but my usual laptop has crashed and I don't know how to use the photo editor on this machine yet. Anyway, these were some of the sights from the river I captured when we went on a passenger cruise on our second day there.
Traditional Spanish galleon moored on the riverside |
The Golden Tower, first built by the Moors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_del_Oro) |
This bridge was designed by Santiago Calatrava. It reminded me of our own Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam |
Like many cities focused on tourism, there was the possibility to do a tour of the sights from the comfort of an open carriage. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the horses, however. They seem to spend hours just standing there with no water or food and, in the summer, no shade either. I hope I'm wrong and that they’re relieved or at least given water at regular intervals. They’re very lovely, though, so I had to take some photos of them.
Beautiful, patient horses. |
One of the many elaborate screens |
Unbelievably ornate and opulent |
I preferred this |
The simplicity of the earlier structures was more to my taste |
It isn't possible to talk about Seville without mentioning the oranges. They’re a real feature of the city streets, and if you are wondering what happens to them, they’re collected and cleared now and then by the city council. Apart from the fact they're far too bitter to eat, it isn't permitted to pick them as they belong to the local authorities. From what I've read, they're used for a number of purposes, including medicinal and culinary. I remember my mother buying Seville oranges to make marmalade when I was a child, but we never ate them raw. It was lovely to see them on virtually every tree in the city streets, though.
And the last thing to mention about Seville itself in this week's post is the music. We saw and heard music everywhere from day one, even being serenaded while we had our meal the first evening. Koos was also given the chance to play by one kindly busker, which made his day.
The man in the photo below was playing flamenco guitar with great skill in a passage.
We also saw some wonderful impromptu flamenco dancing at the Plaza de Espana (more on that amazing place next time). I find flamenco very inspiring and soul stirring, and loved seeing this young group performing in public.
Well, I think that's enough for this time. I'll write more about some of the other places we went and the people we met in my next blog, but for now, I hope you've enjoyed this snippet of our experiences in Seville, allemaal.
Have a good week and all the best from a very cold and frosty Netherlands. That Spanish sunshine is already becoming a distant memory.
I believe that statue at the Seville Guadalquivir riverside is by Eduardo Chillido and is called a Monument to La Tolerancia.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Shirley. I knew it had a message. I found it quite beautiful and love that it speaks out for tolerance,
DeleteHow wonderful and enjoyable, thank you Val. I have never been to Spain, but would love to. It all looks amazing, with sights of things we associate with Spain: flamenco dancing and costume, the Spanish galleon (love it), the orange trees, Moorish architecture. What a great week you had, and I look forward to more :)
ReplyDeleteTrish, I think you need to make Spain a destination before too long. I think you’d love it. Art, culture and history are everywhere you look!
DeleteWhat a wonderful trip you had, Val and Koos. I never got to visit Seville but it is on my wish list. Hopefully later this year.
ReplyDeleteI love the Flamenco dance, like you, I could watch it all day. I am sure the Spanish children are taught it as soon as they can walk as I have seen tiny tots executing the dance to almost perfection.
I look forward to reading more of your trip, dear friend. xx ❤️🤗
Aw, thank you so much for reading my blog, Linda. I’m quite surprised you’ve not been to Seville, but then Andalucia is huge, and travel isn’t always easy or straightforward, so I can quite see why you might not have got there. Do go! You’d love it! 🥰💕😍
DeleteHi Val - I'll be back to read this properly ... so good to hear you're back ... thanks for the email link ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for dropping by, Hilary! Yes, home in the cold again, but a week in the sunshine was just what the doctor ordered!
DeleteWe loved Seville too, Val. And shared your concern for the horses. Seville is a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, the horses quite often looked thin as well. The treatment of animals is the only thing that really bothers me about Spain.
DeleteFantastic narrative and photos. Wow! At least you got the sun, but it could have been the total package with more heat! (Steph)
ReplyDeleteSteph, it was lovely, so I can’t complain. It is after all winter in Spain too so 17-18c was very pleasant. I wish I could have taken you too!
DeleteWhat a lovely time to visit Seville, enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Mike. It’s a magnificent city and well worth spending time in.
DeleteI settled down with a cup of coffee to read about your trip to Seville, while our new puppy was having a nap between mad bursts of energy. However, his power naps are very brief! No problem though, this just prolonged things.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely trip, I enjoyed hearing about the river and the galleon looks really impressive, and very authentic. How nice to enjoy live flamenco dancing and guitar playing, although I prefer the Argentine Tango. I believe they have couples dancing the tango in the streets in Cuba. I've not been to either destinations.
A very absorbing blog post, I enjoyed the photo's that illustrated your narrative, looking forward to more. David.
Ah, David, you must enjoy those power naps when you can. I’m looking forward to seeing photos of your puppy now. Goodness, I’d love to see tango in the streets of Cuba. What a treat that would be. What I lived with these dancers was their skill in using the castanets while they danced as well. Wonderful stuff, very foot tapping and uplifting!
DeleteInteresting to see your post. I have only visited Seville once, during Santa Semana, when it was wonderful being in the packed square by the cathedral at night, what an atmosphere. And it was also very interesting in the daytime - I recognised quite a few things in your pictures! We too stayed in a place that had seen better days and T. lost his phone in the most astonishing way, He had it when we went through the door into the entrance hall, and then when we were inside the hall, it had gone and was nowhere to be seen. Truly astonishing. We never did find it! I love to see orange trees covered in fruit. I once gathered a whole lot up and brought them home to England, and made them into marmalade, not realising that you weren't supposed to pick them. When I did find out, it was too late - they were marmalade. But I was a little anxious in case they had been sprayed with some nasty insecticide. Still, the marmalade is all gone with no apparent ill effects..... I still wonder what actually happens to them!
ReplyDeleteJenny, what a story about T’s phone. How very odd! Santa Semana must have been magical! The last time I went to Seville, it was during the Feria. That was quite splendid to see as well. I chuckled over your marmalade story. I can’t imagine they missed the oranges you too, so I’m glad you suffered no ill effects from them. The website I read was a bit vague about what happens to them. I half suspect that most of them end up in the rubbish, or maybe as fertiliser?
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Val, and an interesting blog as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Brenda. I'm always pleased to see that you enjoy these posts.
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