Our winter vacation began with a trip to Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia. Sevilla has a diverse and rich history even by European standards. Originally there was a Roman town at this location along the Guadalquivir River. Unfortunately, the only surviving remnants of the Roman occupation (that we saw anyway) was the aqueduct still standing just outside of the Old Town.
Later, Sevilla was conquered by Moors (Islamic people from North Africa) in 712 AD. The Moors controlled the region for over 500 years (in some parts for 700+ years). Unlike the Roman town, much of Moorish Sevilla remains.
The Alcazar - originally a Moorish fort and later a royal palace - actually palaces (for both Moorish and Spanish royalty).
The Cathedral of Sevilla - the third largest church in the world. The tower dates back to the Moorish period, while the main cathedral was built by the Spanish after the Reconquest of Sevilla.
The Guadalquivir River
The Tower of Gold - a watchtower that was supposedly used to hold gold and other precious metals when ships returned from the Americas
The interior of the palaces of Alcazar - El Patio de las Doncellas
The Gardens of the Alcazar
The streets of Sevilla -
Inside the Cathedral
Gold, gold, and more gold - a sobering sight if you take into account all the blood that was shed to obtain this gold.
The remains of Christopher Columbus lie in rest inside this coffin being "carried" by these knights
View from the Tower of Giralda (the Moorish part of the Cathedral)
During one of our last knights in Sevilla we watched a Flamenco dance in the courtyard of a historic building.
Later, Sevilla was conquered by Moors (Islamic people from North Africa) in 712 AD. The Moors controlled the region for over 500 years (in some parts for 700+ years). Unlike the Roman town, much of Moorish Sevilla remains.
The Alcazar - originally a Moorish fort and later a royal palace - actually palaces (for both Moorish and Spanish royalty).
The Cathedral of Sevilla - the third largest church in the world. The tower dates back to the Moorish period, while the main cathedral was built by the Spanish after the Reconquest of Sevilla.
The Guadalquivir River
The Tower of Gold - a watchtower that was supposedly used to hold gold and other precious metals when ships returned from the Americas
The interior of the palaces of Alcazar - El Patio de las Doncellas
The Gardens of the Alcazar
The streets of Sevilla -
Inside the Cathedral
Gold, gold, and more gold - a sobering sight if you take into account all the blood that was shed to obtain this gold.
The remains of Christopher Columbus lie in rest inside this coffin being "carried" by these knights
View from the Tower of Giralda (the Moorish part of the Cathedral)
During one of our last knights in Sevilla we watched a Flamenco dance in the courtyard of a historic building.
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