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Sevilla: It's a Sunday morning in early May. We're up early and off to Sevilla.
We drove to Ronda along the A369 road.
Took the A367 Sevilla road and then a little further on it becomes the Jerez road.
We then we took a right onto the A374 to Sevilla. On our Michelin 578 map of Andalucía it should be the A376. It does change to the A375 then the A376 as you near Sevilla. So don't worry if you are following the same route we took! Not far from Utrera a flamingo flew across the road in front of us.
The roads were very quiet, even as we approached Sevilla the traffic was light.
We drove into Sevilla. We had a small street map some previous guests had left. We decided to park in the area behind the Plaza de España.
There were lots of parking spaces in Avenida de la Borbolla. We walked behind the Plaza de España and through a door in the centre building. We could hear castanets clicking in time to some flamenco music. Through the door into this wonderful space. The building is made of a wonderful pink brown stone inset with blue pattered ceramic tiles. The ladies selling the fans, postcards and shawls were responsible for the clicking castanets. I guess it is to attract customers. It certainly adds to the atmosphere. The Parque Maria Luisa.
A wonderful shady tranquil spot in this sunny bustling city.

I didn't expect to see a normally quite shy Night Heron trying to catch goldfish. This is a monument dedicated to Simón Bolivar.

We walked around the streets near the parque. There are interesting pieces of architecture and statues everywhere. This is the Pavilion de Portugal part of the Expo del 29 which is in this area. You can take a tour of the site as part of the city tour.
There are lots of similar Pavilions, villas and churches. We caught the bus near this pavilion.
We crossed the Puente se San Telmo into Triana which is on the opposite bank of the River Guadalquivir to Sevilla.

We passed temples, convents, ermita's, schools etc. The Ayuntamiento of Triana lots of the apartments have internal patios that are planted with magnificent displays of flowers. This is the Iglesia de San Jacinto. The Expo del 92 was held in Sevilla/Triana.
Many buildings and pavilions were temporary.
This is the Edificio Torre Triana. This is the view along the river bank. The building is the Pavellón de la Enería. The strange rocket structure is the Nave Ariadne. The bit in between is typical of the area. Lots of concrete with weeds coming through. The Expo 92 area was a little disappointing. This is the Puente de la Barqueta. This is the famous Puente del Alamillo.
The Alamillo Bridge in Seville was completed in 1992 by Santiago Calatrava. It was built to allow access to La Cartuja, a large, deserted island on which Spain decided to host Expo 92.
The bridge is of the cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge type and consists of a single pylon, counterbalancing a 200 m span with thirteen lengths of cables. Locals call it the 'Viagra bridge'.

Over the bridge back into Sevilla. We entered a district called La Macarena.
These apartments are typical of this area. This is the parliament building of the Junta de Andalucía. This is the Murallas Almohades.

This is the Arco de la Macarena.

The bus stopped to let two girls celebrating their first communion cross the road.

Some of the houses/apartments were lovely, with ironwork at the windows and balconies covered in flowers.

This is the Plaza de Toros - The bullring.

We got off the tour at the Torre de Oro. The cathedral is in this area, as well as the district called 'Santa Cruz' we wanted to explore these on foot.

The Torre del Oro.
The building below is the Maestranza de Artillería.

Inside it was quite striking. Sand floor, arches ... great for photography.

We had a coffee in the Bar Infanta. The owner/barman wasn't pleasant.
He obviously doesn't like tourists. Avoid this place if you can.

Around the corner we saw this lovely apartment building.

Lots of pueblos and cities in Spain have religious niches.

We called into the semi circular Plaza del Cabildo.

A market selling coins, postcards etc was taking place.

We finally made it to the huge Gothic Cathedral.

The street alongside was being renovated, making it difficult to photograph.

This street was opposite the gates above.

Through the gates.

Around the corner, lots of carriages in lovely street.

Inside a service was being held. You could get a feel of this immense building.

The building with the ornate turrets is the Archivo de Indias.

The Cathedral again.

This tower is called the Giralda.

Looking down Calle Mateos Gago into the old Jewish quarter now known as Santa Cruz.

The area was busy. it was lunchtime the tapas bars were doing a good trade. There was a good friendly atmosphere.

Some of the old houses are very beautiful.

Some streets were very narrow. Protection from the fierce summer sun.

A small plazoleta with Orange trees.

An unusual hotel foyer.

We walked to the Jardines de Murillo.

This monument was dedicated to Ferdinand on one side. Isabel on the other. It celebrated 1492 & Cristóbal Colón. (Christopher Columbus) Another pretty monument in the gardens. We walked back towards the Plaza de España and the Parque de Maria Luisa. This is the Casino de la Exposición. I think this is a University building. We walked back into the shady tranquility of Parque Maria Luisa.

This white Peacock displayed for us.

Nearby was a Blue Peacock.
They were free to fly into the trees.

This is the Pavellón Domecq. Part of the Expo 29 area.

We walked back to our car which was nearby.
As we headed out of Sevilla we passed the Real Betis Football Stadium.
Estadio R.Betis Balompié. Crowds in green and white stripes were heading to the match. (They won)