Biking through Seville!

Another wonderful day on the road. 

Bike tours have proved to be a great way to keep the kids entertained and active while we see all the sights and learn tons. Antonio, a native of Sevilla, was our guide from Mak In Line, Sevilla Bike Tour and he was fantastic. The three hours was jammed packed with insights into the people of Sevilla, the historic monuments, Catherdals, Plaza de Espana and the various neighborhoods.

     Plaza de Espana the site used in the movie Star Wars as the Royal Planet of Nabo 

The sights we saw are listed below with a photo and short description however the esoteric things we "learned" about Sevilla are far more interesting. 

1. Ask us about the work ethic of the people of Sevilla.

2. We now know how 'tapas' got its name.

3. Why all the orange trees in Sevilla? ....... Gunpowder

4. Spanish Inquisition - cool.

5. They say it is a Christian church but look it is originally Arab. Pointing to Arab architectural features.

6. This is not a Jewish neighborhood, they were here for only 200 years. It is Arab; 500 years.

7. Only the workers of Sevilla would build a bike path that leads directly into a fence or a tree and the      boss will say great, lets go get a beer.

All in good fun. Such outspoken comments must be common among bike guides as Paula our guide in Barcelona had similar self depricating comments about the people of Barcelona and the Church. 

Top Views:

- Golden Tower: built in the thirteenth century, during the Almohad period. It is said that she collected all the gold that came from India (customs).

- Cathedral: After the recapture of the city by Fernando III, it was decided that, as the legend: "A church so large that who see it finished we have as crazy." The Cathedral was built from 1402 over an old mosque. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

- Giralda Sevilla most representative monument. It is the minaret of the mosque. Its construction began in 1184. With 117.50 meters high, was once the tallest building in Europe. La Giralda not have stairs, but ramps wide enough to allow the manager to call the people to prayer could climb them on horseback.

- Alcazar: Definitely one of the most impressive monuments of Seville you can not miss. The Alcazar is a fortified palace. Today it is the residence of the royal family when visiting Seville. It has been the scene of some movies like "Lawrence of Arabia".

- Maria Luisa Park (Plaza of Spain): These gardens, originally formed part of the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, were donated in 1893 by the Infanta Maria LuisaFernanda de Orleans to the city. The park opened the Plaza of Spain and the Plaza de America, which are some of its main attractions.

- Barrio de Santa Cruz: Located in the city center is full of white washed houses,mansions, palaces family, flowered patios humble and above all, legends, duels, love affairs and memories, charm and beauty.

- Royal Tobacco Factory: It is a stone building in the eighteenth century, as the site of the first tobacco factory in Europe established. Currently hosts the Rector of the University of Seville and of some of its powers.

- Royal Cavalry of Seville: It is an institution created in 1670 cavalry whose original intention was noble training in weapons and war like equestrian practice in the serviceof the Spanish crown. A very good time was had by all! Including a wonderful tapas meal of Caesar salad, goat cheese salad, shrimp ravioli with mushrooms, grilled scallops in romanesco sauce and grilled pork in Marsala sauce. Best meal of the trip. Az-Zait Resaurant in Sevilla, Spain.