Santa Cruz, Seville

We spent a week in Seville in May. This was our second visit to the city. Our first visit was a long time ago, and it was during Holy Week. I don't remember much about what we did during the day that week, but I have very vivid memories of the evenings where all the Christian processions would very slowly march all around the city: the huge floats, so heavy that people could only carry them for a few minutes on their shoulders and then they would have to stop so that others could take over; the Nazarenos, dressed in their long robes with pointed caps on their heads which hide their faces and necks.

This time we stayed in the Santa Cruz district, which is the primary tourist neighbourhood as it's home to some of Seville's best-known sights: the cavernous Gothic Cathedral with its landmark Giralda, as well as the splendid Alcazar with its royal palaces and lush Jardines del Alcazar.

It is s very picturesque part of the city, a maze of narrow streets and old buildings. 

This image of Jesus carrying the cross was something I noticed almost straight away, but it is one of many, so after a while, one stops noticing. This is a very religious city, full of churches, convents,  images like this on buildings and banners of religious images hanging from balconies.

The city's architecture is a reflection of its history, and is a rich tapestry of Roman, Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Mudejar and modern styles.

I loved these balconies

and the ironwork covering the windows.

We would walk along here, going north,  every evening as it's on the way to our favourite bar where we would have our pre-dinner drinks

This church was on the way

 

Sometimes we would walk through this passage

Through this small square

some of these streets are so narrow.

Religious imagery, everywhere

I saw this sign outside the building above and went inside to investigate as there were always lots of men hanging outside

It's a soup kitchen - it looked very well-run and welcoming.

Lots of bars in this area.

This church is by the square we were heading towards

and then we would arrive. The whole square was taken up by our bar and a much smaller restaurant

and by the evening it would be packed

and there would always be people queueing, waiting for a table.

Still moving north from our little square, we would end up here, on the edge of Santa Cruz, where it borders with La Macarena,  at the Metropol Parasol (post to follow)

We spent quite a lot of time here during the week - it's a very vibrant square with lots to do and see

and I will be posting about it later.

Moving south from the Metropol Parasol

Seville's main shopping area is to be found.

and this is also where one of the University buildings is situated.

The shopping area is as mixture of wide streets

and narrow ones.

Religious imagery everywhere

At the other end of Santa Cruz, on the border with the other side of La Macarena  district, lies the end of the Alameda de Hercules avenue.  There will be more about this tree lined avenue in future posts

From here, we would walk along the Amor de Dios street, to get back to our hotel.

It's a narrow street with some interesting shops and bars

including this cinema.

On the ground floor of this building

The graffiti shop is situated.

I saw this multi-coloured display from the window and wondered what it was, so we went in

Amazing.

I had never seen a graffiti shop before.

Love this balcony.

Eventually we would get to our hotel.