Seville walking tour

Seville is the capitol of Andalucia and it's a very major city on the banks of the river Guadalquivir. It is in fact the fourth biggest city in Spain behind Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Like so many cities and towns in Spain the recapturing from the Muslims has a lasting impact. The Alcazar, constructed as a lesser version of La Alhambra, was an Islamic palace until King Ferdinand recaptured it. It is still used as a Royal Palace when King Felipe lV and Queen Letizia visit the city.

At the point of the Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) the Arabs built a floating bridge accross the river (basically boats tied together side by side) which was destroyed by Ferdinand who set alight his own boats and sent them into the floating structure. Without supplies the Arabs surrendered the city to the Christian army. The Reconquista moved another step forward in 1248.

Peculiarly many of the landmark buildings like the famous Plaza de España is not even 10O years old. Built to amalgamate many autonomous areas and to align the city with many other great cities worldwide the Iberian-American Exposition put Seville on the world map in 1929. In 5 years time I'm sure there will be a huge 100 year festival to celebrate if you are planning to visit.

The bullring is very famous and although much controversy exists around the sport bullfighting continues as a result of a recent referendum. The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maenstraza bullring lives on and the families of the toreodores still come to prayer for the safe outcome of their family member. They spend the night before in prayer within the complex. It's a dangerous living.

The tomb of Cristóbal Colón is in the Cathedral which I look forward to seeing. A portrait painting of the man is fascinating. He was deeply religious and believed the wealth of trade resulting from the colonisation of the Americas would assist Jerusalem being brought back under Christian control.

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