Walking around the old city

Today was the first day that we headed to the old city with a touristic purpose. We planed to walk around the Barrio Santa Cruz, the Jewish quarter prior to the Spanish Inquisition. Ferdinand and Isabella had a strong religious commitment which fueled the ferocity of the Inquisition. After Santa Cruz, our agenda included the Cathedral ( The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) and the Alcazar (Reales Alcázares de Sevilla).

We headed out of Triana and into Sevilla. We passed by the bullring The Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla).

The Plaza de toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla

I hope to attend a bullfight while in town. The last of the season in Sevilla will occur on September 28, 29, and 30. Novices on the first day moving to the best on the last day. The event starts at 18:30 (6:30 PM). There will be 3 bullfighters facing a total of 6 bulls, 2 bulls each. It normally takes a couple of hours for the entire spectacle. 

I've had tickets to a bullfight in Sevilla on 2 other occasions when we lived in Brussels. The first was during a business association meeting. I finished the session and Randeen and I jumped in a taxi knowing we were a bit late for the start. We arrived at the corrida and the crowd was milling about outside. A hand written note on the main door indicated that the veterinarian had called off the fights as the bulls were not fit enough to meet the matadors. Since we were leaving town and no refunds were available, only rain checks, I sold my rain checks at a heavily discounted price. The second time, we were in Sevilla for the Seville Expo '92. I was called back to Brussels for an important meeting. I missed the event. Randeen went and she informed me that no more bullfights were in her future. She will not be joining me on September 30.

We passed the cathedral in the way to Santa Cruz. All things historic nearly meet in the area around the cathedral.

The Giralda, the bell tower

We walked past the the Giralda, the bell tower and only remaining reminder of the mosque that was here before Ferdinand and Isabela reclaimed Spain from the Moors. The cathedral sits on the site of the mosque.

Barrio Sant Cruz

The barrio Santa Cruz is a maze of small streets. Most of it is still residential with some shops and tapas bars sprinkled throughout. I'm not sure I would want to live in this area as it has tourists streaming through it on a regular basis.

Casa de la Guitarra in Santa Cruz

Don Juan

Don Juan is part of a Santa Cruz legend as well. There are lots of stories. Most of the stories link to a rich man who did good deeds for the poor but had a weakness for the ladies. The only thing that I know for sure is that there is a statue dedicated to him in Santa Cruz, and there is an opera of the same name. If interested, you can find your own truth about the legend.

Pottery with typical Moorish patterns

There are several pottery stores in the barrio. Pottery is an important part of Sevilla's past. Much of the technical skill and the patterns used brought to Spain by the Moors. the patterns are used in decorated tiles all over the city. Triana is a center for ceramics and pottery as well.

Before heading to the cathedral and the Alcazar, we needed lunch. We skipped tapas for this meal and had pizza with beverages.

sangria

We headed to the cathedral with the intention of buying tickets. The line was very long and moving at a snails pace. The line was not shaded, and the temperature was at 38°C (101°F). 

There was a wedding in progress at the cathedral. Using a vintage car seems like the thing to do at weddings in Sevilla. This wedding had a Hurtan waiting outside for the couple. It isn't actually vintage but a retro looking automobile.

 A Hurtan retro car made in Andalucia

Here comes the bride

We checked the Alcazar line, and it looked identical to the one for the cathedral. We headed back to the apartment with hopes of developing a plan for tomorrow.

Of course we headed out for a meal at about 21:00 (9:00 PM). We decided to try a place recommended by an Austin friend who owns a restaurant.

Bar Triana

The restaurant is called Bar Triana. It had a very eclectic and totally enjoyable array of tapas. The place had 4 or 5 small tables on the sidewalk, and the owner was our waiter. He was everyone's waiter. We were the first to arrive and within 15 minutes all the tables were filled including an additional table which appeared from inside. We may go back again. It was quirky and really good. We headed home at about 23:30 (11:30 PM).

PS: Someone doing homework.