Seville, 11.3-16.3.2016

So it was time to say adeus Lisbon, Portugal, and hola Seville, Spain!

Taking the night train at 21.25 in the friday evening to Madrid, arriving early in the next morning.

To Seville I travelled with one of the most expensive trains in Europe, AVE. Forunately I am travelling with Interrail Ticket, saved 80€ by using it!!

(Up): in the night train, this time with a bed to sleep in! Nice view of Spain from the train! In the train I also met a group of six Germans, who happened to do similar things and taking the same trains as I did, unfortunately we only met when our ways were going apart :'( But travelling by Interrail is a good opportunity to meet new people! (Down): from the AVE train to Seville.

Arriving at Sevilla Santa Justa train station. With all my stuff and clothes, the heat of over 20 degrees was killing me, but the weather was just perfect! Looking forward to get to my room and changing to T-Shirt and a skirt! 

Walking around in Sevilla, on the right I think is a University building, nice one right?!

The view from the bridge. Down on the right is The Tower of Gold, Torre del Oro, an old military watchtower. 

The main sightseeing target for today was the Seville Cathedral, which in the 12th Century was build as a mosque with a minaret tower. On the left: Giralda Bell tower, 2/3 of the tower is the former minaret tower. (u.r.): Orange Tree Courtyard that is also conserved from the former Mosque.

The Cathedral from inside. The gothic style is very obvious in the Cathedral, but also features from the Renaissance and Baroque have their imprints on the massive building. (d.r.): Tomb of Christoffer Columbus.

After climbing up to the Bell tower, 34 "floors" and finally 17 steps, the view over Seville was just astonishing! Here you can see the Courtyard.

The Cathedral from above

Just enjoying the view from above!

In the evening I felt so southern by drying my clothes outside, on the roof of the building! Hopefully they will dry until tomorrow, and still be there ;)

Saturday (12.3):
Today morning I didn't do that much, got a soar throat after Lisbon so trying to get it away. That is also why I changed the time I am here, will move to another AirBnb- flat tomorrow and stay in Seville until Wednesday. By the way, Airbnb is a very good way to find nice places to stay for not so much money! Until now I've been more than pleased with the accommodation! I really recommend it! So for today, my clothes were dry and clean ;) Today: 26degrees and almost no wind! I left my flat around 2 pm.

Walking along the Water, Canal de Alfonso XIII, sideriver to Rio Guadalquivir. The weather is just perfect!

A visit to the lovely park Maria Louisa-Park

                       

In the park. Note the orange-tree!!

                                   

Plaza de Espana, part of the park.

Plaza de Espana, panoramaphoto. These horserides are to be seen all over the city, especially here in Maria Luisa park

Churches and Chapels, Cathedrals, can be seen almost in every corner. Yesterday, when I visited the Cathedral, I got a free entrance ticket to the Salvador Church, Iglesia del Salvador. Found it today and took a look inside.

A huge construction close to the "shopping part" of the city, Metropol Parasol. Here were a lot of things going on today, maybe because of weekend? In the photo you can see two men climbing.

The beautiful view from the Puente de Isbel II-bridge. 

Sunday (13.3):
Today I walked across the city in order to get to my second accommodation here in Seville, still staying for three more nights. Still not feeling well, but because of the nice weather and the beautiful place, I decided to do some walking and sightseeing in the city:

Cruzcampo is the biggest selling beer in Spain and originates from Seville. I think here in Seville they drink more beer (cerveza) than for example wine. During my walk I needed something refreshening and decided to buy a local beer.

The sightseeing for today: the Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace in Seville. The upper parts of the palace is still being used by the royal family when visiting Seville. This palace is also registered by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 1987. For students under 25 the entrance costs only 2€!

The entrance courtyard of the palace. 

(Up): huge garden areas around the palace. You could spend the whole day here in the gardens, just enjoying the birds, trees and flowers and the peacefulness of the gardens! (Down): the inner yard in the palace.

Walked to the river in the evening. In Seville they also have a big wheel.

Monday (14.3):
Today I went for a daytrip to Cordóba, only 45 minutes away from Seville by train. Cordoba was once the biggest city in Europe, actually also the capital of the Moors in 1000 AD. Even today it is an interesting city, worth visiting!

The train route on the map

The weather was again lovely! First I walked through the parks snd then got to the Jewish Quarter. This area were inhabited by the Jews in 70 AD, after that the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem was destroyed. This is the reason why at that time Cordoba became the biggest Jewish community in Europe. Many walls here have flower motifs and the quarter is full from narrow, beatiful streets.

The Roman Bridge (on the right), was build by the Romans. Some of the 16 arches is to be seen on the photo. The bridge is 225m long and has been renovated lots if times after it was build the first time. From this side of the bridge is to be seen the Cordoba Cathedral (right) and parts of the castle Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos (left).

More photos taken from the bridge. (d.l): in the end of the bridge is zhe Puerta del Puente, the entance of the bridge. The photo on the lower right corner is taken next to the other end of the bridge, at the defensive tower Calahorra Tower.

Around the town hall you can find the remains of a Roman Temple. 

Because I am in Spain, it is a must to go and listen to / see Flamenco! In the evening I left, together with my flatmate, to a really good bar for flamenco, called La Carboneria. It was a group of four people playing, singing, clapping and dancing. It was interesting, thought there would be women dancing, but this time it was a man dancing and stepping! It was impressive!

 Tuesday (15.3):
Still trying to recover from my cold, spent the day relaxing, walking and skypeing, making me ready for a whole day of travelling tomorrow.

Hercules mall, the Alameda de Hércules, is a garden square in Seville. Happened to pass by during my walk in the city. It was apparently the oldest public garden in Spain and in the whole Europe, build in 1574.

I love the river, so took a walk along the Guadalaquivir river for the last time before leaving Seville.

Even though I did not get to go for my joggingtrip in Seville, I still got to experience and see a lot from the interesting, old roman city, today the capital of Andalucia, Spain.
My favourites in Seville: the Cathedral and the Giralda tower, Maria Louisa-Park and all the other parks, Palace Gardens and the river side.