18-1, Travel to Happiness, Arriving in Seville(3/19)

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18-1, Travel to Happiness, Arriving in Seville(3/19)


   Departed Algeciras at 9:20 AM, passing through Gibraltar, Tarifa, and Cadiz, arriving around 4:30 PM.
Arrived in Seville, the main stage of Carmen and Don Juan, and the birthplace of Flamenco, around 4 PM.
The car's mileage upon arrival was 2,451 km, having traveled 317 km today. On the way, I enjoyed lunch made from the prepared kimchi, canned mackerel, and instant noodles, and while driving in a good mood, I listened to Rossini's opera 'The Barber of Seville,' Bizet's 'Carmen,' and Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro' overtures. Visiting this passionate city, which is the main stage of these works, brought a light excitement.
   This area of the old town also has many narrow alleyways, so we had to drive in one-way directions. We checked a few hotels, but there were no rooms, which made us worry whether we could find a hotel in the old town. However, in an alley so narrow that only one car could pass, we found the 2-star hotel Monecarlo. They had a room available. Although it is a 2-star hotel, the front lobby is stylish and comfortable. Despite the hotel being small, it was much better than the complicated atmosphere of most high-end hotels. While checking in at the front desk, we were given information about the 'Flamenco Theater.' Since we could either have dinner or just watch the dance, we decided to only watch the dance and booked the 10 PM performance.


                     

Nueva Square: Equestrian Statue of Queen Isabel
After resting briefly at the hotel, you went out onto the street. As soon as you leave the hotel, the first thing you see is Nueva Square.

The equestrian statue of Queen Isabella, the heroine of Spain, catches the eye. To the Spanish people, she seems to be celebrated as a great hero.

Seville, which developed as the central city of this region since Roman times, was the capital of the Visigoth kingdom when it was occupied by the Visigoths, and was conquered by the Moors under Tariq who crossed the Strait of Gibraltar in 712 AD.

At that time, while Europe was experiencing the Dark Ages, this place under Islamic rule became a stage for the flourishing of Islamic culture for over 500 years. In 1492, Queen Isabella, who ended the Reconquista, sought to strengthen the nation by supporting Columbus and Magellan, which led to the discovery of the Americas and the opening of global navigation routes, ushering in the Age of Discovery and establishing Spain as the world's strongest power at the time.

The queen represented the pride of Spain.


  It was in 1248 when King Ferdinand III of Castile recaptured Seville and ended Islamic rule.
The city entered a new era of advancement under Christian control. During the Age of Exploration, it prospered as a trading port with the New World.
This development was greatly supported by the Guadalquivir River that flows through the center of the city. After the Age of Exploration, it became a hub of global trade and experienced economic growth.
                      

Cathedral !! The largest cathedral in Spain. Since it was late today, I decided to visit tomorrow.
                

The Giralda Tower next to the cathedral!! This tower, which is also a symbol of Seville, could serve as a landmark for finding directions since it can be seen from anywhere in the city.
       

The Giralda Tower as seen from the entrance of the Alcázar
          

The former tobacco factory that became the setting of Carmen (now the Faculty of Law at the University of Seville) A Baroque-style building built in the mid-18th century, it was originally a royal tobacco factory. The tobacco produced here was reportedly supplied to several countries in Europe. It is known as the setting of Bizet's opera 'Carmen,' where the guard 'Don José' meets 'Carmen' working here, falls under her seductive charm, and begins his tragic love story. Today, this tragic setting has become the Faculty of Law at the University of Seville.
             

College students are holding a bazaar. Lively students on campus were holding a bazaar.
                           

Statue of Queen Isabel
       

A park donated by Princess María Luisa It is a pleasant and spacious park with a variety of flowers and trees.
                 

Plaza de España, the sunset is beautiful Plaza de España, which has a semi-circular building in María Luisa Park, was built in 1929 as the 'Ibero-American' exhibition hall.
                   

Touring by carriage
         

Watching authentic flamenco dancing at the El Arenal Theater
                 

Night view of Isabel II Bridge