I met my friends Saturday afternoon at La Perlita, next to the Church of the Magdalena, where I disappointed them all by nursing two small beers over a period of four hours. I'm a cheap date. The only way stoned and plastered find their way into my conversation is through the discussion of art and architecture. Sevilla has a lot of stone and plaster. I went for a walk this afternoon and decided to focus my attention on the works that adorn so much of this amazing city.
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| TOO MUCH CATNIP. DUDO SLEEPING IT OFF. |
My first stop was at the very grand Ayuntamiento (City Hall). The Spanish Inquisition began right here in Sevilla in 1481. After 1534, trials were held in Plaza San Francisco in front of the newly completed Ayuntamiento. Victims were then burned (either alive or, if they confessed, "mercifully" garroted first) in Plaza San Francisco or in the Prado de San Sebastian (where you can now catch one of a number of buses to the beach or other charming destinations).
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THE ORIGINAL AYUNTAMIENTO FACADE ON PLAZA SAN FRANCISCO.
(GETTING READY FOR MORE SPECIAL EVENTS.) |
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| RUNNING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACADE. |
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| MORE FRIEZE-WORK. |
A modern addition was added to the back of the Ayuntamiento in 1891; it then became the front of the building and faces onto Plaza Nueva. A major altar is being completed out back in Plaza San Francisco for upcoming festivities to honor Corpus Christi, which is Thursday. So, yes, there will be more parades (and, no, there will be no trials or burnings). We heretics are now kindly welcomed. I'll have plenty more photos of the Ayuntamiento during the week.
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| AYUNTAMIENTO TOWER UNDER A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY. |
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WHO ARE THESE GUYS AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO THE CHERUB?
I'D LOVE AN INSIDER TOUR OF THE CARVINGS. |
Passing the Ayuntamiento, I of course had to make a brief stop at the ornate gothic Cathedral (which was consecrated in 1507 after being built atop the Almohad Mosque, which was built in 1198). I could fill pages with photos of the sculptures and carvings. Once beyond the Cathedral, I saw lots more of course, but I've decided to save those photos (and whatever else I come across in the meantime) for future posts. So, look forward to more opportunities to get stoned and plastered with me.
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ABOVE ONE OF THE CATHEDRALS MANY DOORS.
(THE ENTIRE FACADE IS CURRENTLY BEING CLEANED AND RESTORED.) |
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| AMONG DOZENS OF HUMAN FIGURES SURROUNDING ONE SET OF CATHEDRAL DOORS. |
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| ONE OF MY MANY FAVORITES. |
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| NEWLY CLEANED. THE DIFFERENCE IS AMAZING. |
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| SOME VERY ANCIENT WORK. |
I'll get stoned and plastered with you anytime. And, at our age, we know what that means. Don't we?
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteUhhhh... I don't remember...
Ummm, remember what?
DeleteFar out, man!!!
ReplyDeleteI know I would be dizzy (don't go there!) with all that architecture/sculpture. Where do I start!?
The history must be overwhelming at first Mitch and I really appreciate the 'lessons' you give here....you'd be a great teacher!!
Jim:
DeleteEvery time I walk by the cathedral, I discover another unusual carving I hadn't spotted before. And just walking down any residential street brings so many surprises.
I'm truly grateful you enjoy my little bits of info. I want to make it interesting but I sure don't want to sound like I'm lecturing... or pontificating. This is just all so new and fascinating to me and I love getting to share it.
Now that is stoned and plastered that we can all get behind. And I want you to have your cats start posing in the shape of the letters that begin your post titles. Do you think they can do that? : )
ReplyDeleteJenners;
DeletePer your earlier suggestion, I'm trying to collect all the letters of the alphabet. But I think it would be a lot easier to just create initial caps as needed.
Beautiful craftsmanship. I think I'd be very tempted to sign up for a tour, because those carvings are intriguing - there must be so many stories told within them. Sevilla is a remarkably beautiful place and I appreciate you doing the legwork for us! Love to your handsome boys.
ReplyDeleteElaine:
DeleteMoose just popped to send you his love (or maybe to whine to me that I'm ignoring him).
I'm going to check into guided tours of the carvings. You're right, there are clearly stories behind the figures.
Wow, these really are mind-blowing pics, Mitch. Quite dizzying - and with such intricate detail too. Pity (and odd?) that so much of the detail would be lost to the vast majority who can see them only from ground level. But thanks.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Dudo and, I think, ALL other cats must be in their element in Espana, a country where siestas are 'de rigueur' - or is that just a myth? Do YOU take them?
Raybeard:
DeleteI do find it fascinating that there's so much detail in areas you need a crane to see. Just imagine what we DON'T see.
As for siestas, yes we all have become very skilled at the tradition.
In 1992, as part of the 500th anniversary of the Columbus voyage, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia showed up at the Cathedral while a colleague of mine and I were showing it to a travel-study student group. Everyone in the Cathedral was frozen in place by security for the duration of the short visit. As the royal couple left the Cathedral, the Queen lagged behind her husband to shake hands, mine included and say few words here and there, which delighted our students.
ReplyDeleteWill:
DeleteWow! What a bit of excitement and a great memory to have.
Hi Mitch! I keep forgetting that it's always six hours later where you are. I was able to find Erin's facebook page and friended her so I can keep up with her appearances. I just friended you, too! I had checked into the gig at the Pourhouse but it turns out I have several other things going on that night (isn't that always the way!) I see she was at the Townhouse here in St Paul last night but I didn't get the FB info until this morning. But, I will stay on top of it and connect one of these times! Thanks for the information, I will pass it on to friends.
ReplyDeleteMs. Sparrow:
DeleteWe're actually seven hours later than Minnesota. I will make sure via Facebook that you know of all future opportunities to see Erin perform. It's an uplifting experience.