KL's Travelogue: 20120219 Sevilla

Huge street demonstration was in parade on my arrival, reckoned they were protesting the austerity measures and high unemployment.

After the Cordoba caliphate collapsed in 1031, the Almohads from Morocco made Seville capital of their whole realm, building a great mosque where the cathedral now stands. It fell to the Christians in 1248. The mosque was used as church till 1401, it was later knocked down and replaced with one of world’s largest cathedrals and an icon of Gothic architecture. Completed after 106 year. The original mosque’s beautiful minaret La Giralda is still standing.

Had been tired of visiting cathedrals or churches… too many similar monuments since Madrid. I lost the excitement on this Cathedral of Sevilla.

Again, another Alcazar… was just another Alhambra in Granada, larger but less intricacy. After all I didn't understand why I still visited such places. Enough, I told myself.

Plaza de Espana, the city’s favourite relaxation spots, with its 1929 built grandiose semi circular brick and tile confection, spacious square, water canal and large Parque de Maria Luisa, had been refurbished for 1992 international exhibition. Worth for a visit.

Though bullfighting season had not started yet, the idea of seeing the bullring was tempting. The Museum of Torino was small, EUR6.50 entrance ticket included a compulsory guided tour. The guide was robotic, probably she repeated the same speech at least 5 times a day in the past years. Her “Spanglish” with emphasized tongue rolling accent was a bit uneasy to me.

The modern irregular shaped Metropol at Plaza Major is an unique building that the locals termed it a mushroom. The foundation of Roman ruins was displayed at ground floor, the interwoven planking formed a net-like roofing. Though not tall, it does provide a good view to the coast and the surrounding. This arts piece steals lots of photo shots.