Seville

Spain is split over a move to ban the metal bulls that dot the Spanish countryside.

From prehistoric cave paintings to Picasso murals, bulls have always been

associated with Spain's national imagery. The bulls are huge metal cutouts of

bulls weighing more than four tons. They stand about 40 feet square and have

loomed on hills, plains, cliffs, farmlands and vineyards since 1957 as

advertisements for a brandy called Veterano. For the vast majority of Spaniards,

the bulls, 97 of them, have become part of the nation's cultural and artistic heritage.

But for the Public Works Ministry and the European Union, the black

dinosaur-size bull silhouettes are mere advertising, and in 1988 the Government

banned all roadside billboards as safety hazards.

First stop was Flamenco Dancing at El Patio Sevillano.  Here is a Video of the

finale.  Right click and download the video, as it is a large file.

Tablao El Patio Sevillano on Avenida Cristóbal Colon, next to the Maestranza

Bullring. This was the first tablao in Seville, and which was founded in the 1950's.

The mansion CASA DE PILATOS, thought to be an imitation of Pontius Pilates

house. Gothic and Baroque architecture includes the church of San Savador,

built on the site of the city's first Friday mosque.  Built towards the end of the

fifteenth century, it is the prototype of a typical Andalusian palace. Its origins

are Moorish, although there are also Gothic and Plateresque influences.

he main front is from the Renaissance crowned with Gothic crenellations on top.

The main courtyard is decorated in a Mudejar and Plateresque style.

In the hall of the Judges' Rest there is a beautiful arch decorated with

Mudejar and Gothic elements, a lovely tile plinth and plasterwork frieze.

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This is the our Trafalgar group - full bus. 

The Cathedral of Seville was begun in 1402, with construction continuing into

the 16th century. It is the largest of all Roman Catholic cathedrals (Saint Peter's

Basilica not being a cathedral) and also the largest Medieval Gothic religious

building, in terms of both area and volume. It is 76 by 115 meters, and was built

to cover the land previously occupied by the Almohad Mosque. Its central nave

rises to an awesome 42 metres and even the side chapels seem tall enough to

contain an ordinary church. Its main altarpiece is considered the largest in the

Christian world.

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The central nave rises to 42 meters and even the side chapels seem large

enough to contain an ordinary church.  The total area covers 11,520 sq. meters.

Shop window displaying a fans and jewelry.  Fans have many uses depending

on the way they are held.  A woman can turn the fan to encourage or discourage

a man.  We were in the Jewish quarters where there were many shops but we

didn't have time to make purchases.  While we were window shopping we had a

street serenade.  Right click here to download the large video file.

The tower is 93 meters high plus four more with the weather vane.

The base is 15 meters deep made of stone and tablet.

The belfry consists of 25 bells of different ages.

The oldest is the clock bell, made in 1400.

The 80 Flemish stained glass windows are from the 16th century.

On the right side there is a mausoleum with the mortal remains of

Christopher Columbus; 4 heralds hold the coffin.

The huge interior of the cathedral is lavishly decorated.  Gold is everywhere.

The supreme masterpiece of the cathedral was the life's work of a single

craftsman.  Composed of 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ, it is carved

in wood and covered with staggering amounts of gold.  It is the largest

and richest altarpiece in the world.

Columbus was originally buried in the cathedral of Havana, on the island he

discovered on his first voyage in 1492.  His remains were transferred to Seville

in 1902.  They are testing the DNA to make sure it is his remains.

This is the newest of Seville's mass transportation; they were testing on this day

and it was scheduled for public use in a couple of days.

The Bullring, La Real Maestranza of Seville, is one of the most beautiful, oldest,

as well as one of the most significant in the history of bullfighting.  It took more

than a century to build. Completed in 1881.

The Prince's Balcony was completed in 1765.

We took an afternoon boat cruise and saw modern buildings and bridges and

had Sangria.

We had a Tapas dinner at La Hosteria del Laurel - the Hotel of the mythical

Don Juan.

Gracie holds her fan but we aren't sure of the message.  Richard was a little

tired after dinner and showing us the night life and lights.  Is that Mary's arm?

These teenagers held out their hand for a tip after we took their photo.

They were hanging out just like all teenagers.