An afternoon in Seville, Andalusia, Spain

I was eager to visit Seville and patiently waited for our cruise on the river to be completed. When I saw a huge bridge open in two and rise, stopping the car traffic for HARMONY V to cross, I understood that we had arrived. A more stimulating voyage side by side with History, I haven’t made in my life.

We smoothly anchored next to Parque Maria Luisa Gardens, and soon we left the yacht for a walk in the town enveloped by its exotic flair: palm trees, thousands of colours, old-fashioned carriages riding on tree-lined boulevards where Gothic architecture mingled with Moresque, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Oh! a celebration of myriad impressions flooded me. 

Parque Maria Luisa, Seville, Andalusia

Along Avenida de las Palmeras, parallel to the river, the grandest and most impressive pavilions of Latin America, presented a microcosm of their countries’ architecture and culture, built for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929, which nowadays have been converted to museums, libraries and Consulates. The most famous of all is the pavilion of Plaza de Espaňa, a vast oval brick structure which displays each of the regions of Spain in beautiful ceramic alcoves and benches.

The author at the Plaza de Espaňa, Seville

Leaving the boulevards, we entered the historic centre of the town with its narrow streets, old houses and tapas bars whose atmosphere lures the Sevillians and they stay until late at night. There is no other city in Europe with such a vibrant nightlife. Of course, people benefit from the mild climate. There was no time to stop in one of them because we arrived at a Baroque square where the Seville Cathedral stood in front of us taking our breath away. 

At last, my eyes could rest, when we entered the Bario Santa Cruz, two steps from the Cathedral, a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys dating back to the old Juderίa, the Jewish Quarter of the city. Scattered into the neighbourhood were tiny, charming squares some decorated with azulejos (colourful tiles), some with orange trees, fountains and beautiful tiled benches.

Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville

In the past they served as open-air theatres and at one of them, close to the Moorish city wall, there is the house where Don Juan was born. Two steps further was the Alcázar, known as one of the most beautiful palaces in Spain with its Mudéjar architecture, gorgeous golden ceilings and sumptuous decoration.

When the walk was over, our small group scattered in the alleys with such confidence as if, in a few hours, we could breathe Seville’s sunset as our own. Some went to see a Flamenco show, whose secrets, our charming hostess, Isabella, introduced to us in the morning on the yacht. She moved her hands above her head and epitomized the dance in three brisk movements: with the first you cut the apple from the tree, with the second you eat it, with the third you drop it, and say Ole!

Flamenco dance

The book ANDALUCIA, The Jewel of the Light is published in Greek. The electronic version will be published soon.

Travel with my Books in English

Cruise theme: “The Glories of Portugal and Spain” www.varietycruises.com