Christine In Germany: Christine in Seville, Spain

I love Spain! Beautiful country. Amazing food (love tapas). But hot. In July it is hot hot hot. I understand why Spaniards take naps in the middle of the day. Cause they would melt otherwise.

Seville is what I think of when I think Spain. The Cathedral is the 3rd largest church in Europe but largest Gothic church anywhere. Christopher Columbus's tomb is located within the church. Once I again, I climbed a church tower for you. The Giralda Tower is actually a ramp, not steps. Originally part of a Moorish mosque, people rode horses up the ramps to call Muslims to prayers. It became the cathedral's bell tower after the Reconquista.

The ramp up:

View from the top:

Seville houses Alcazar, one of the loveliest palaces I have visited. Built in the 10th century, it was for the Moorish governors. However, it still functions as a royal palace today-the oldest in use in Europe. The king and queen use an apartment upstairs still (which you can tour at certain times--unfortunately, I did not make it during that time frame). The tile work within the parts of the palace is fascinating. The Hall of the Ambassadors was King Pedro I's throne room. I could have stared at the half dome ceiling for hours. It is a starry heaven. The Gardens were massive.

One of my favorite all time places and pictures.

Take a tour of a bull fighting ring if you ever have a chance. The Spaniards say (and I agree) that bull fighting is an art. As it is so hot, you pay extra for seats in the shade during a bull fight. The matador actually has a team of people to help him. (Read more on bullfighting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish-style_bullfighting.)

If you look closely at the view from the church, you can see the bull fighting ring.

The food was amazing. I love tapas. You get to eat lots and lots of samples. And you aren't stuck with just one thing. The octopus salad is still my favorite. And the first night I tried the local soup-salmorejo. Best cold soup ever. But I don't think I had one bad taste while there. Though I admit that some were better than others.