Day 28: winding through Seville

Our introduction to Spain could not have been better than Seville (suh-vee-ah). Starting here gave us so much historical insight as we moved around the country. Seville is one of Spain’s oldest cities, having been first inhabited in the 7th and 8th centuries BC. Most of the labyrinthine streets are one way, or completely off-limits to cars due to how small they are and sidewalks are just one brick wide... if you are lucky.

My favorite part about Sevillian history is that in ancient time Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Gypsies all lived, traded, and worked together in relative harmony, each respecting their own practices and beliefs. Because of this, you can find amazing Arabic architecture all over the city, even the Cathedral of Seville was originally a mosque. After the inquisition, the mosque was converted to a cathedral and is still to this day the third largest cathedral in the world. Fun fact, this is where Christopher Columbus’s tomb is. Another amazing example of Arabic architecture is the Real Alcázarl, an ancient palace still used by the Spanish monarchy today.

Flamenco is another tradition birthed out of the mix of cultures in Andalucia, this region of Spain. We opted for a tapas and Flamenco tour to see a show and learn more about the history. We were lucky enough to have an excellent tour guide, Carmen at Devour Seville. Much like a jazz show Flamenco is impromptu but, uniquely, it is actually led by the dancer, not the musicians. Even after it was explained to me I’m not really sure how it works. The mystery made it even more beautiful.

Mixed in with the rich history of the city is a vibrant up and coming generation of Sevillians that is obvious in the shops, art, food, and architecture you see popping up. Near the cathedral, you can find The Parasol or affectionately called the Mushroom. This huge whimsical wooden structure is a bit strange but also really beautiful and modern among the bulky stone buildings around it.

Old world, new world, and everything in between. That's as about as Seville as it gets.

xo

K