Various weather signs around Sevilla quoted the temperature as either 32, 36 or 40. All of them could not be right but either way, it was hot. It meant walking on the shady side where possible.
We had breakfast at a nearby bodega and headed across to the Cathedral. The side we were on was the exit where a local was selling tickets to a flamenco show tonight. He offered a €3 pp discount so we took up the deal. He also gave some tips on what was around the area where the show happens, down by the Guadalquivir river. So we headed off there first as the Cathedral looked very busy from tour groups.
The venue is located in a mercado, which reminded me of Brunswick market. Mostly empty and pretty rundown.
The riverside consists of parks on the north bank and terrace houses on the south bank. Christopher Columbus set sail from somewhere along here to the new world.
We walked across the Puente de Isabella II to a food market and then headed back. The winding streets to the Cathedral made the walk interesting, passing by the Plaza de Toro (bullring) and many fine buildings.
The Cathedral is massive and displays a Guinness Book of Records certification that it has the largest area of all cathedrals in the world. I don't doubt it. Christopher Columbus' mausoleum is here although apparently there is also one in the Dominican Republic. DNA tests showed that they both could be him. As his son died in the Caribbean as well, perhaps they are doing a father and son show. Either way, it's an impressive dedication.
I walked up the 35 landings of the Giralda to get a view of the city. At 104mr the tower is the tallest structure in Sevilla, but for a new skyscraper being constructed in the area that formerly hosted the World Trade Fair. The walk up is fairly easy as it is more of a continuous ramp and is wide enough for two way traffic. Allegedly it was built so wide to allow caballeros to ride their horses up. It was just after I headed down that the bells struck, so I left with hearing intact. There is a pleasant Plaza de Naranjas (oranges) because - you guessed it - there used to be a mosque here. At least they kept the gardens when they built the current structure in the 15th century.
Back at the hotel to freshen up we headed out to find the new Plaza Mayor with a funky structure named the Metropol Parasol and known locally as the flying waffle. It claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world, but we didn't see much wood in evidence. It demonstrates that Seville is keen to build new design that surprising works in well with the heritage of the place. As this building replaced a derelict car park, nothing of value was lost. Why did I think back to the market building from earlier? We shared a pizza for lunch and then took the panoramic walk on top of the waffle. It gave an interesting view with a blend of old and new Sevilla, although was very bright up there!
We wandered on to do some retail therapy. Many stores were closed - some for siesta and some for a permanent siesta. We gradually wound our way along the northern streets of Seville to the river. Once we got to Plaza des Armas, we turned left and stopped at a bar on the river for bebidas.
As the hour approached we headed to the flamenco show. Bruce and I made up 50% of the audience! Regardless, the show was great. I'm no expert on flamenco but they all performed exceptionally well. Flamenco is a fantastic fusion of music, singing, hand gestures, use of the costume and of course the pounding of the feet. So much passion, although with an audience of 4 the passion didn't stretch to an encore!
Back to the hotel then out for dinner, this time away from the heavier tourist trail, although still in the realm of tourist prices. We ate at a restaurant on the Plaza de la Cueva. Nice setting and good food; certainly better than the main street down to the Cathedral.