Sevilla - Day 6: Museum visit, a tour at the Bullring

Wednesday, 10 December
Strolling through the streets of Seville on our way to the museum of Bellas Artes; so many nice spots. 

****

Visiting the Museo de Bellas Artes, which is situated in a former convent.  

Especially the central hall of the museum, which used to be the former church of the convent, was stunning. The art on the walls wasn't so impressing except for a few pieces.

****

After our visit to the museum we strolled along the river to revisit the Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco.  

Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco: great food/whine/sunshine AND moreover, opposite to The Netherlands where it's already dark at this time of day, at 17 hrs the sun is still shining.

The bullring at Plaza de Toros de Seville, where still bullfights take place in the summer season. We did the tour, which was rather interesting. Of course I couldn't help myself and expressed my horror at the killing of bulls. 

Seville in Xmas spirit

Our last dinner at La Sal accompanied by a lovely Terras Gauda white wine.

That's it because the day after, on Thursday 11 December we flew home.  

dikke kus

Sevilla - Day 3: Alfonso XIII, Triana, Gourmet Croquets and Maria Immaculada

Sunday, 7 December

We started with a coffee at super luxuruous hotel Alfonso XIII, where a wedding party was hosted.

After coffee we walked to working class neighbourhood Triana, the area where the famous tiles used to be made.  

everywhere in Triana is smoke caused by burning chestnuts 

the bridge leading to Triana at the other side of the Gualdalquivir river

Afterwards we strolled along the river, had a cuba libre in the sunshine and visited the Mercado Gourmet Lonja del Barranco (our first visit). Where we ordered a lovely glass of white wine with yummie small croquetas (same size as the Dutch 'bitterballen'). This Gourmet place is a must-see for those enjoying good tapas & wine. 

saints ...

very busy plaza Salvador

Maria Inmaculada: kiss the hand of the Maria statue and donate money in the Iglesia Colegial del Divino Salvador.

We had no idea what all these people were doing, but found the following explanation: 

The Immaculate Conception, according to the teaching of the catholic church, was the conception  of the blessed virgin Mary in her mother's womb free from original sin. 
The Immaculate Conception is commonly confused with the doctrine of the incarnation and the virgin birth of Jesus, though the two deal with separate subjects. The catholic church teaches Mary was conceived by normal biological means, but her soul was acted upon by God (kept "immaculate") at the time of her conception.
The catholic church celebrates the feast of the Inmaculate Conception on December 8; in many catholic countries, it is a holy day of obligation or patronal feast, and in some a national public holiday. 

In the evening we revisited restaurant La Sal and ordered 3 of their prize winning tapas  

Today was the Day of Inmaculada, a holiday in Spain. In the night from 7th to 8th of December all the Tunas (student's fraternities in traditional medieval dresses) of the city - and many of all the country - come together at the statue of the Virgin Inmaculada, between the cathedral and the Alcazar, to perform their traditional songs. They started after midnite and it was sooo cold. But worthwhile waiting for. What an atmosphere. We loved it.

to be continued

Sevilla - Day 1: an appartment in Santa Cruz

Jardines de Murillo; the statue of Christobal Colon

Friday, 5 December 

This year my Bday trip was to Seville and not on my actual Bday but from 5 till 11 December. We visited Seville before, however, always for only a few days and now we had many days to explore, enjoy the sunshine and relax.

Here's the first photo I made while on our way from the airport to our apartment, resting in the parc Jardines de Murillo at the foot of the statue of Colon. 

Lovely sunshine and clear sky, phew what a difference with the Dutch weather. Super to be back in Seville.

our spacious appartment no 4 at Calle Mariscal 4, barrio Santa Cruz, which is the former Jewish Quarter of Seville.

our first wine outside in the sunshine, and 

photos of the area near our appartment

Restaurant La Sal, around the corner from our appartment. This place became our fav restaurant; specialized in tuna fish and having great wines. 

An evening stroll through Seville: visiting the Plaza Virgen de Los Reyes with the Giralda and the Cathedral, located just around the corner of our appartment. We definitely are living in the centre.

Bar El Mariscal, which happened to be situated right opposite our appartment. We arrived there after our evening stroll around 23 hrs when people just started to come in. 

Live music and elderly people from the neighbourhood dancing the Sevillana. Wow flamenco music/dances and great atmosphere. This is Seville!

more photos of Bar El Mariscal.

to be continued