Day trip to Cordoba - Monday, 13 May

Early train to Cordoba - only about 40 minute trip so very easy.  Becoming quite familiar with Seville's main train station or Santa Justica to us old hands.  Walked from train station to old quarter in Cordoba.  Very pretty white washed houses with colorful flowers in pots everywhere.  Found Catedral - Mezquita.  Queued up but moved quickly so all good.  Stunning place inside.  Great double arches from Moorish times when was a mosque.  They were apparently an innovation, copied in later mosques. Also ornate chapels, mainly on outside which were added by the Christians in the 1200's plus you can see excavated old Roman parts and bits from when the Visigoths were in charge.  Largely a huge room with these amazing arches that seemingly go on for ever.

Also a courtyard outside which the Moors built which originally had fruit trees in it and a bell tower which was originally a minaret.  I think I have my history sorted now.  There were the prehistoric times - Neanderthals etc in this part of Spain, followed by Roman rule, followed by the Visigoths (who seem a mysterious bunch to me), followed by the Moorish rule, followed by the conquering Christians.  Napoleon was there for a bit as well and Royal families seemed to come from various parts of Europe including Austria and France I think and some Celtic blood in there too.  And some of the Moorish bits were actually built by the Christians, some common  names actually date from the Visigoths (who were Germanic) and eventually the Jews were thrown out as were a lot of the Muslems although the Muslems have made more of a come back than the Jews.  Primarily a Catholic country now.  And that doesn't mention the Civil War etc which does not seem to be talked about.  Encountered this in Madrid previously where our guide mentioned that people still don't know what happened to relatives who disappeared during the Civil War.

End of no doubt not entirely correct history thoughts.  Exited Catedral etc and headed for Roman Bridge.  Walked part-way across and back again, took photos and re-entered old quarter where we found some food and drink and sat back to watch the passing parade of tourists mostly.  Lots of tourist shops selling much the same stuff.

Seen enough by early afternoon and hopped back on train back to Seville.  Seems to be a bone of contention whether Cordoba or Seville are the warmest cities in Europe in Summer.  Not a title I'd be boasting about. Cordoba was lovely and sunny and warm.  Managed a bit of a suntan today.

Catedral-Mezquita was very interesting and glad made the effort  but also glad just did a day trip.  We get a final day in Seville tomorrow to wander around before early start on the delightful Ryan Air back to Edinburgh.  Definitely had our fill of Spanish Cathedrals, mosques, forts etc and feel like now need  some time to process it all.  Think favourite is a tie between the Alhambra in Granada and Real Alcazar in Seville in terms of impressive sights.

Dinner at Casa Paco sitting underneath the trees on the Plaza.  Had delicious burrata salad again, some pork skewers and tried a calamari sandwich - essentially fried calamari in bread.  They like their bread and potatoes.  Was very nice. Moscato wine for me and Sec wine for Stephen (sweet for me and dry for Stephen).  Hunted down a gelato shop for Stephen and did an after dinner stroll around the Plaza because that is what you do. Spied last night's grandma hanging out on her balcony again.  Didn't wave as would no doubt have confused her.  Wish we could capture the atmosphere and bottle it.  Below are some photos of Cordoba.  It is very pretty and the Roman Bridge is very impressive especially given its age.

Last day in Seville

More leisurely start and headed through shopping strip, detoured to Spanish chocolate shop for more essential supplies and then onto Plaza de Espana.  Another impressive sight.  It's a huge paved Plaza in a horseshoe shape built for the 1929 Iberostar - American Exposition.  It has a 515 meter canal that goes around it - you can hire a rowboat and paddle around.  There are beautiful tiles, two huge towers, four bridges that cross the canal and tiled seats and plaques throughout, representing the different regions in Spain.  It is in a large park - Maria Luisa Park, originally part of a Palace.  The area all around here is very upmarket.  Expensive looking hotels and restaurants. It's also right near the river which was no doubt important at one time.  Now that part is not so scenic.

Just read that the Plaza has featured in some movies including Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.  The buildings are Government offices so you can't go inside.  Also saw Torre del Oro (the Golden Tower) on way back which was part of the old City Walls.  Stopped for lunch near the Torre del Orro.  Is tourist central here.  Had a chorizo sandwich for lunch.  (Later edit - Stephen went out and bought some chorizo upon our return to Edinburgh to add to tonight's dinner - reminded us how much we like chorizos). And Stephen bought a pair of shoes - Spanish slip-ons.  He just never stops shopping.  Photos below of the Golden Tower and the Plaza de Espana.  The Plaza especially is very impressive.  Feels like we have packed in a lot of impressive sights these last 9 days.

 

Went back for a rest mid-afternoon. TV has Midsummer Murders on an eternal loop. I fell asleep to episode 36.  Last dinner at Casa Paco.  Decided we knew food was good.  Then wandered down Plaza and had a drink sitting outside listening to music and enjoying the passing parade of people, kids, dogs etc. Thought it fitting to end with a statute of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella.  They both get a lot of air play here.  Adios Spain.