SEVILLE, SPAIN...FRIENDLY, WARM AND HAPPY !
- By Tomas San Jose
- Published 11/3/2008
- Travel
- Unrated
Tomas San Jose
Previous Nationality: Spain. Attended Christian Brothers College in Memphis, Tn.- Met and married a beautiful Southern Belle in 1952. Still together. Drafted during the Korean War; active duty with 1st Cav.Div. earning my U.S. Citizenship.Have a Memphis born daughter,a great son-in-law and two granddauhters, our pride and joy. Living in a small town just north of Memphis - Retired - we are enjoying the peace, quiet, and good neighbors we are lucky to have.
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No doubt about it! Seville, capital of Andalusia in southern Spain, is the most happy, warm, welcoming city in Europe.
Did you know that it is two thousand years old? Built on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, the passage of various invading people instrumental in its growth, has left the city with a distinct personality. and a large, well preserved historical center. During Roman tines, the city was called Hispalia. You can still see the remnants of an aqueduct. During the 5th and 6th centuries the Vandals and Visigoths conquered the Roman Province of Hispalia Baetica, only to be taken away by
the Moors in 712. It remained under Muslim control until falling to Fernando III in 1248. The city retains many Roman features, including large sections of the city's wall. Seville's Cathedral was built from 1491 to 1519, after the city was taken back from the Moors, on the former site of the city's Mosque. The interior is the longest nave in Spain and is lavishly decorated. The Cathedral re-used some of the columns and elements from the Mosque, most famously the Giralda, originally
a minaret, It is said to be one of the largest Cathedrals in the world.- Christopher Columbus is buried there, but the Dominican Republic claims they have him. Personally, I believe Columbus is buried in Seville. The man was known to be a "picky" fellow.
There are quite a few excellent restaurants in the city, and numerous Tapa Bars that always seem to be full of people drinking a beer or a glass of wine while sampling the tapas (a variety of appetizers). The word Tapa means "lid" or "cover" in Spanish; and the Tapa tradition started way back when it was customary in the Bars and Taverns to cover the drinks with bread or some kind
of flat object, to protect it from fruit flies.At some point, they became a tradition and now you can choose your favorites, like razor thin slices of Serrano ham, chorizo (sausage) or some kind of cheese. There is an extensive variety of tapas available.
Seville's population of 1,500,000, including the urban area and satellite towns, makes it the fourth largest Metropolitan area in Spain.- People love to be out in the streets, and that gives the city a party ambiance day after day; and when the Holidays make it a real party...Look out! You are in for a real treat.
Some times, people you have never met come up to you with a smile and invite you to join them in a drink and lively conversation. During the two major"Fiestas" in Seville, Holy week and the Sevilla Fair, people really celebrate, causing an unique atmosphere. You really have to be there to believe it.
Every street and square that makes up the historic quarter of the Andalusian capital, bursts with joy and bustle. This area has a collection of historic buildings, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites, and also contains colorful districts with great popular flavor, like Triana, and La Macarena.
Could be added that if Golf is your choice sport, there are four excellent golf courses in he vicinity.
Seville was home of the famous and infamous figures in history: "Don Juan" started from here to conquer the hearts of women all across Europe.
Prosper Merimee's "Carmen", who couldn't decide between the Officer Don Jose, and a Bullfighter Escamillo; the consequences you can still watch in an opera house, was a worker in Seville's Old Tobacco Factory. This Factory houses today the University of Seville.- Quite a city, Seville! Warm, fiendly and happy.
Some people say that Seville is Alegre como unas castanuelas, (Happy as the sound from a pair of castanets).
Did you know that it is two thousand years old? Built on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, the passage of various invading people instrumental in its growth, has left the city with a distinct personality. and a large, well preserved historical center. During Roman tines, the city was called Hispalia. You can still see the remnants of an aqueduct. During the 5th and 6th centuries the Vandals and Visigoths conquered the Roman Province of Hispalia Baetica, only to be taken away by
the Moors in 712. It remained under Muslim control until falling to Fernando III in 1248. The city retains many Roman features, including large sections of the city's wall. Seville's Cathedral was built from 1491 to 1519, after the city was taken back from the Moors, on the former site of the city's Mosque. The interior is the longest nave in Spain and is lavishly decorated. The Cathedral re-used some of the columns and elements from the Mosque, most famously the Giralda, originally
a minaret, It is said to be one of the largest Cathedrals in the world.- Christopher Columbus is buried there, but the Dominican Republic claims they have him. Personally, I believe Columbus is buried in Seville. The man was known to be a "picky" fellow.
There are quite a few excellent restaurants in the city, and numerous Tapa Bars that always seem to be full of people drinking a beer or a glass of wine while sampling the tapas (a variety of appetizers). The word Tapa means "lid" or "cover" in Spanish; and the Tapa tradition started way back when it was customary in the Bars and Taverns to cover the drinks with bread or some kind
Seville's population of 1,500,000, including the urban area and satellite towns, makes it the fourth largest Metropolitan area in Spain.- People love to be out in the streets, and that gives the city a party ambiance day after day; and when the Holidays make it a real party...Look out! You are in for a real treat.
Some times, people you have never met come up to you with a smile and invite you to join them in a drink and lively conversation. During the two major"Fiestas" in Seville, Holy week and the Sevilla Fair, people really celebrate, causing an unique atmosphere. You really have to be there to believe it.
Every street and square that makes up the historic quarter of the Andalusian capital, bursts with joy and bustle. This area has a collection of historic buildings, many of which have been declared World Heritage Sites, and also contains colorful districts with great popular flavor, like Triana, and La Macarena.
Could be added that if Golf is your choice sport, there are four excellent golf courses in he vicinity.
Seville was home of the famous and infamous figures in history: "Don Juan" started from here to conquer the hearts of women all across Europe.
Prosper Merimee's "Carmen", who couldn't decide between the Officer Don Jose, and a Bullfighter Escamillo; the consequences you can still watch in an opera house, was a worker in Seville's Old Tobacco Factory. This Factory houses today the University of Seville.- Quite a city, Seville! Warm, fiendly and happy.
Some people say that Seville is Alegre como unas castanuelas, (Happy as the sound from a pair of castanets).