Seville - Part 2

Continuing on the comparison between Granada and Seville, although the Alhambra was the most spectacular of the sights I saw, Seville had a more relaxed feel to it. Narrow alleys in the old part of town lined with colourfully painted two-storey houses that shade the alleys that are frequently lined by tables from the cafes scattered throughout. It was fun just wandering around, finding hidden squares and watching the world go by. Obviously Saturday is wedding day in Seville as sitting at a café in a square with a fountain in the middle, not did just one bride and groom appear with trailing photographers but more likely six, as soon as one group left another would appear! Photogenic – no doubt about that.

Unlike the cathedral, I did find the Alcazar worth the 8 euro entry fee. It was a conglomeration of Moorish and Christian architecture. Dating back to 700, it has been the home of the Moorish chiefs and the residence of the Spanish monarchs, it has stunning architecture covering styles over hundreds of years.
For example “ Each wall in the Hall of Justice has a decorative structure comprising three recessed arches adorned with traditional Moorish plasterwork showing schematic plants, epigraphs and heraldic coats of arms. The ceiling is adorned with wooden lattice work.”

“Four marble arches on one end of Levi’s Courtyard, look across a rectangular pool with three water lilies aligned down the centre and home to goldfish. There is a hedge on either side with a wall fountain at the end, surrounded by variegated and green ivy with the smell of jasmine pervading the air.”
The Tapestry Room

There are many other monuments in Seville, that I unfortunately didn’t have time to visit but it is also expensive as they charge high entry fees. I would happily return especially to the hotel I stayed at – Hotel Europa. Decorated with antiques, it is full of character, comfortable while also being centrally located and easy to find. I also acquired a taste for Sangria, no doubt helped by the fact that the iceblocks made it a very refreshing drink in the heat.