Tag Archives: Spain

December 25, 2013 · 5:35 am

Seville, Spain — Know a Good Barber There?

Plaza de España

Cadiz was our next port of call, but as we had been here before Ursula and I had other plans. We immediately departed for Seville — the fourth largest city in Spain and an absolutely incredible destination. By now we were well into our third week on this trip, and I was in desperate need of a haircut. Alas, I could not find the barber for whom I was searching.

Jewish Quarter

Fortunately, what we did find were some fantastic sights. Near the top of the list would have to be the Plaza de España, the epicenter of the epic Ibero-American Exposition of 1929.

Plaza de España

This location has been used in several films, including the epic Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Does the following bridge look familiar to you Star Wars fans, for instance?

Plaza de España

Another wonderful photographic opportunity is the Seville Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See.

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See — Seville Cathedral

This enormous structure is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, and the third largest church. It was built on the site of a former Mosque, with construction spanning 104 years starting in A.D. 1402. Alas, the mosque is not completely forgotten, as the Seville Cathedral’s bell tower — called Giralda — is actually a minaret re-purposed from the previous structure.

Giralda — The Former Minaret

The Royal Alcázars of Seville is another blog in and of itself. That will come next week. This week’s Fun Photo Friday I’ll present some of my favorite Seville photos. Until then enjoy today’s photo gallery:

Giralda

In the Jewish Quarter

Where José Zorilla wrote Don Juan Tenorio

Seville, Spain

Giralda

Seville, Spain

Plaza de España

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See — Seville Cathedral

Plaza de España

Jewish Quarter

Plaza de España

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See — Seville Cathedral

Seville Hotel

A Great Place for Tapas

Plaza de España

Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See — Seville Cathedral

Jewish Quarter Street

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December 23, 2013 · 5:35 am

Meandering Around Málaga

Málaga Beach

The MS Ryndam left Barcelona (see: Barthelona ith in Thpain) and the magnificent Sagrada Familía (see: Sagrada Familía Exterior; Sagrada Familí Interior Part 1; and Sagrada Familía Interior Part 2) behind on November 2 and set sail for the Spanish coastal city of Málaga as a prelude to our passage through the Strait of Gibraltar (from a previous cruise see: Gibraltar — What an Englishman Calls a Rock). We arrived at Málaga on the morning of November 4.

Málaga Street Scene

Málaga was founded by the Phoenicians far back around 770 B.C. But don’t worry. The buildings are a bit more modern than that. One stunning example is the Málaga Cathedral of the Inception, on which construction began in A.D. 1528, and which took some 254 years to complete.

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception — Bell Tower

Across the street from the Málaga Cathedral is the old Bishop’s residence (now a museum, among other things) at the Palacio Episcopal de Málaga (Episcopal Palace of Málaga).

Palacio Episcopal de Málaga

Built into the Palacio Episcopal façade is a niche holding a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Palacio Episcopal de Málaga

These are not the only sights in Málaga worth photographing, however. Here’s today’s photogallery:

Málaga Square

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception

Sculpture outside the Málaga Cathedral of the Inception

Málaga Café Poster

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception

Málaga Café

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception — Bell Tower

Málaga Entryway

Málaga Kiosk — A Fixture throughout Europe

Málaga Cathedral of the Inception

Málaga Balcony

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Tagged as cruise ship, Holland America, Malaga, MS Ryndam, photography, R. Doug Wicker, Spain, travel

December 11, 2013 · 5:35 am

Sagrada Familía — Interior Part 2

Sagrada Familía

Antoni Gaudí’s creation gets more impressive the closer you look. As if the cubist-style statuary adorning the exterior and the forest of columns dominating the interior weren’t already enough, other details start jumping out at you as you redirect your attention from the macro to the micro.

Sagrada Familía

For instance the organ boasts an astounding 1,492 pipes spread out of 26 stops (groups).

Organ Pipes

Cast into the bronze door you’ll find a massive array of biblical words and names in several languages. Two items however stick out as gold accents in a sea of darkened bronze — Jesus and a Magic Square. The number ruling the Magic Square of the Sagrada Familía is 33, the age at which Jesus was crucified:

1	14	14	4
11	7	6	9
8	10	10	5
13	2	3	15

Doorway in the Passion Façade with Magic Square

And as I mentioned in the last installment, there are those incredible staircases:

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway

Don’t forget to look for the view of the apse crypt deep beneath the main structure:

Apse Crypt

Another surprising touch is a massive rendition of The Lord’s Prayer in over 50 languages:

Lord’s Prayer in 50+ Languages

Then there’s that fantastic play of colored light from the stained glass washing across the pillars:

Columns Awash in Color

Stained Glass Playing More Light Tricks

And finally there’s that incredible modernist interpretation above the altar of the crucified Jesus ascending into Heaven beneath a golden parachute-like structure: