Seville, Sunday, 10/17/21

Since we had free time this morning in Seville, the four of us (Ibby and Bernice, Jimmy and I) left our hotel and went on a walkabout to the Rio Guadalquivir (Rio Grande).  We joined hundreds of people enjoying the fine weather outdoors.  The Hotel Inglaterra is right smack in the middle of the city.  We even saw a marathon being run a block from our hotel, though fortunately we didn't have to join them!  I heard parrots or parakeets in the trees near our hotel ... our guide said they were escaped Argentinian Parrot pets that had multiplied.  Never did see one up close.

We walked and gawked and talked, not knowing exactly how to get to the river, but kinda sorta figuring it was "that way."  After asking once or twice, we found the Rio Grande!  But, imma tell you, we loved looking at the ornate buildings along the way.  Ibby and Jimmy are at right, above.

I'm not sure of the origin of most of these buildings, or what they're used for now, but they're all so showy!  The guys are at left (well, I missed some of Jimmy, but you know who he is).

Here they are again.  Look how tropical Seville is.

Me and Bernice posing near the fountain.

You don't see it here, but hundreds of families were Out and About, joggers and walkers, bicyclists, and tourists enjoying Seville's river walk.  Actually at about this time (above), many of the families were still in church, and it was afterwards that we saw so many people.  Population in Seville is over 700,000, so it's a good-sized city.  In the background is the tall new building nobody likes and the Gold Tower nearer to us.

Even the river is well-used.

Jimmy standing by the 118' tall Gold Tower (Torre del Oro).  Built by the Muslims in the 13th Century and badly damaged in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, it was rebuilt afterwards.

Admiring the tourist sailing ship.

I just like the look of this one.

A balloon seller joined the crowd.

Resting for a few seconds at another fountain.  Hungry for something to eat by now, Jimmy and Ibby stumbled upon a Five Guys burger joint (famous in the US for those of you who haven't been to one).  So nothing will do, but we have to eat burgers and fries at Five Guys (which was delicious, BTW).  

We walked our feet off, and then returned to the hotel.  That's when we learned that our local guide, Maria, would take us on a "stroll" this afternoon along the cobblestone streets of the oldest neighborhood in the city, as well as the spectacular Moorish Alcazar Royal Palace and gardens.  The group set out ... walking!

The Royal Palace, commonly known as the Alcázar of Seville, was built for the Christian king, Peter of Castile. It was built by Castilian Christians on the site of a Muslim "alcazar," or residential fortress. This fortress was destroyed after the Christian conquest of Seville in 1248.  Believe it or not, the upper stories of the Alcázar are still occupied by the royal family when they visit Seville. It was registered in 1987 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, along with the adjoining Seville Cathedral.

At the "Gate of the Lion," waiting our turn to enter.

Virgin and Child painting in the Chapel of the Gothic Palace.

From the 13th Century!

In the gardens of the palace.

Amazing ceiling in the Hall of the Ambassadors!

Incredible tile work.

Patio de las Doncellas courtyard (Courtyard of the Maidens)

The palace is known for its tile decorations.  The two tile types used are majolica and arista tiles.  The Tabacos tile at upper right was not in the Royal Palace -- it was a tile sign at the huge former tobacco factory (which employed 2000 women at one time to role cigars).  All the tiles were exquisite.

Traipsing through the narrow passageways after seeing the palace.

And, finally, Maria said she'd love for us to see the 1929 Ibero-American World Fair pavilions, not too far away, maybe only another mile (!!)  Countries in attendance of the exposition included: Portugal, the United States, Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile, the Republic of Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.  Due to the timing (1929), the exposition was not a great success.  But, we enjoyed seeing everything.

Group photo on the bridge.

I'm in white shirt and Jimmy is at left next to Barbara in the hat.

Needless to say, we were pooped when we limped back to the hotel.  I had over seven miles on my Fitbit, almost all of it on cement, brick or cobblestones.  The day was warm, too, which added to being our feeling tired.  We certainly saw a lot of Seville, and actually had a really good day, but -- yowza! -- we hoped tomorrow would involve more sitting!