Sevilla: First Impressions

As you know, I love history and I know very little about Seville. I'm certain, over the next 8 days of exploration, that lack of knowledge will be remedied.

Like most Spanish towns, Sevilla was controlled by various groups. It flourished throughout history, under the Romans and a succession of various owners. In 711, it it fell to the Muslims, where it became a leading cultural and commercial center. But after the Muslim possession of Sevilla was ended in 1248 by Spanish Christians under Ferdinand III, the substantial Moorish and Jewish minorities were driven into exile, and the local economy temporarily fell into ruin. I hadn't realize that was the catalyst for sailing the ocean blue in 1492.

I am excited for the history lessons we will learn here was there is something amazing to see at every corner turned!

All around town are these plaques telling us where scenes from opera took place. Seville is intimately linked to the world of opera. Few places like Seville have inspired a greater number of works in the history of bel canto. Around a hundred or so operas are known to have Seville as the setting or inspiration for their stories. "It is like a great theater. The curtain rises and before you appear, one after another, the real stages of those already legendary moments of opera. Feel yourself in the skin of its protagonists, capture the emotion that these corners and squares transmitted to so many composers." I look forward to the theatrical scavenger hunt these plaques will provide.

As a matter of fact this is the Balcón de Rosina from the Barber of Seville. "This story, described for the first time in a Beaumarchais play from 1775, would be inspired by a real event that would have happened in this Sevillian house. The opera tells the story of Rosina, a young orphan who was in charge of an elderly tutor named Bartolo who wanted her as his wife. The young Count of Almaviva also falls in love with her, who follows the advice of his barber, Fígaro, in order to conquer the lady. In one of his courtship episodes, the lover gets to organize a serenade with other musicians at the foot of Rosina's balcony." Oh the drama!

Through statuary, we will have the opportunity to meet various sevillanos. Francisco Palacios Ortega El Pali (1928-1988) was a very popular singer who was also known as "El Trovador de Sevilla". I love this pose.

There are even statues which pays tribute to the mythical people like this one of Don Juan. Seville is believed to have been the birthplace of Don Juan Tenorio. He is the fictional ladies man whose story has been told many times by many authors. The first book he appeared in was written in 1620 and titled El Burlador de Sevilla (The Trickster of Seville).

We even saw people who could have modeled for a statue.

In 1917, this gazebo in Murillo Gardens, dedicated to the painter of manners, José Garcia Ramos. His favorite themes were traditional in nature and he is considered a major exponent of Andalusian regional painting.

I loved this Ficus. This majestic was planted in 1911. One of the attractions that this tree presents is the powerful visible root structure, with buttress-type formations that reinforce the stability of the specimen and facilitate sap channels that nourish and hydrate it.

How about this parking? I so enjoy the various cars that are only found in different countries.

In the spring of 1828, Washington Irving (best know as the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) arrived at the port of Seville. He came aboard the Betis, the first steam ship in Spain that traced the Guadalquivir from Cádiz. Irving was born in New York in 1783 and was already a well-known romantic writer and journalist and was also a tireless traveler and ambassador throughout Europe.

We spied this huge piece of cañas and just had to have one (especially at only 2.50€. It was absolutely delicious. I've found my new almond croissant.

Window shopping was super fun.

This store, Juncia y Romero, surprised us. It specializes in religious items, liturgical ornaments, incense and 'self-made religious tailoring'. Who knew that ecclesiastical clothing had to be purchased by the clergy?

We all appreciated the adventurousness of this motorcycle from Colorado.

We ended our day on the river ogling this cool sailing ship. The original Nao Victoria, commanded by Juan Sebastian Elcano, left Seville in 1519 and returned to the same city in 1522, after circumnavigating the globe . The Spanish discovery of the Americas brought new prosperity to the city. Sevilla became the center of the exploration and exploitation of America through the Casa de Contratación (“House of Trade”), which was established here in 1503 to regulate commerce between Spain and the New World. For two centuries Sevilla was to hold a dominant position in Spain’s New World commerce; it was the site of the chief mint for gold and silver from the Americas, and many Spanish emigrants to the New World sailed from its quays. Sevilla was in fact the richest and most populous city in Spain in the 16th century.

Such history is found everywhere. Steve and I are standing in front of the Torre del Oro, a dodecagonal military watchtower that was erected by the Moors in order to control access to Seville via the Guadalquivir River. It is one of two anchor points for a large chain that would have been able to block the river. Constructed in the first third of the 13th century, it served as a prison during the Middle Ages. Its name comes from the golden shine it projected on the river, due to its building materials (a mixture of mortar, lime, and pressed hay).

What fun it is to discover a new town. I can't wait for tomorrow.

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HAERR TRIPPIN'

Sevilla: First Impressions

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