In the centre of the Old Quarter we find the cathedral. As a matter of fact we could see the tower for quite a ways before we stood in front of it.
The Giralda is the Bell Tower which stands on the original site of a mosque minaret that stood here in the 11th century when Seville was of muslin rule.
Standing 96 meters high....you can climb it.
'Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede' or better known as the Seville Cathedral.
This Gothic Church was begun in the 14th century and finished in the year 1528.
A black and white of the top of the cathedral that I took the liberty of changing the colour.
Originating in the old days, by wealthy families for getting around the city, the romantic Horse and Carriages are found all over Seville. The prices are fixed and official....there is no scam to be had by availing yourself of an hour long tour of the city sights. Approximately 40 euros to start....dependant of what you purchase.
The horses are well groomed and look very healthy.
In 1248 the mosque (that stood here) was consecrated as a Cathedral after the Reconquest.
The Reconquest was the capture of the city of Seville, from muslem rule, by the armies of Ferdinand III of Castile in 1248.
It was then Christianized including the change to the mosque.
It is a Roman Catholic Cathedral which boosts being the third largest in the world. Larger than the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
It spans over 23,500 square meters.
Love the gargoyles.
The Horse and Carriage stop in front of the Real Alcazar Palace (below).
The incredible entrance to the cathedral.
Only 9 euros to visit this amazing church.
This church was the site of the baptism of the only son of monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I, Juan of Aragon. He was the brother of a very famous woman, Queen Catherine of Aragon who married King Henry VIII....which in turn he annulled this marriage to Catherine....so that he might and did marry Anne Boleyn.
The Seville Cathedral has 80 chapels and 15 doors.
So much art work and nooks and crannies to explore.
The organ!!! Check out the wee pews at the base of it...shows how tall it is.
Unbelievably magnificent.
The nave in the Cathedral rises to a height of over 42 meters.
In the centre of the cathedral is the choir stalls (below).
Below is the burial monument of the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.
He was of Italian descendent but had financial support from Spain to explore. He left from Spain to cross the Atlantic Ocean four times in his explorations, beginning in 1492.
"For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps." - Christopher Columbus
Sounds like he 'winged it?' A very interesting quote.
This is a massive structure and so very life like.
Many tiny corridors to explore and wander through. Sometimes I felt like I would get lost.
This little gallery has a distinct muslim style.
The alter piece was the work of a life time of the designer and craftsman, Pierre Dancart.
This is a close up photo....
...and this is the best shot I have of the entire altar piece.
It is made up of 45 scenes of the Life of Christ and it is in gold!!
Making it the largest and the richest alter in the world!
This courtyard on our way to the exit of the cathedral was left as it was during the time it was a mosque.
Filled with orange trees and fountains.
The exit which looks like a key hole to walk through.
Wow is all I can say.
There is much more information and photos to see and read about this Cathedral but it would be a must see if in Seville or even in Spain. By train you can almost get across the country in 12 hours.
Worth a trip.
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