The morning of Tuesday, May 17 started with a tour of Seville. We would see remains of a Roman aqueduct, buildings reflecting 500 years of Moorish domination, and then Catholic influences. Our bus tour took us past buildings constructed for the Seville 1929 Exposition. Many now used as consulates or museums. The Argentinian building is now a dance school.
We visited Alcázar, a palace used by Moorish governors and Spanish Kings. Added to and modified over the centuries it is a mixture of architectural styles. The upper levels are still used by the Spanish royal family when they are in Seville. It is the oldest royal residence still in use. Here is a view of the upper levels of the room where the king would receive visitors.
Here is the Courtyard of the Maidens. The lower level built at one time; the upper level added later.
We continued our walking tour through the Jewish Quarter. We passed remains of a Roman aqueduct (left), obviously cut to make way for a road.
Here is a detail of the pipes in the aqueduct (right). [One pipe for hot and one for cold, I guess.]
Then we went to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See (Seville Cathedral) (pictured at the top of this blog entry), the third largest church in the world (after Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil). Originally it was built as a mosque, but later it was converted to a church. The main reconstruction took place from 1402 to 1506. In the picture you can see what was originally built as a Muslim minaret with a Christian bell tower added on top. The Cathedral has 44 chapels. The royal chapel has more than one ton of gold in its decoration. Many of the chapels are owned and maintained by trade groups (for example, the shoemakers guild). The 18th century organ is powered by 117 seats in the choir with pump pedals. [I hope my notes on my yellow pieces of paper are correct on this one.]
Inside the Seville Cathedral is one of the three tombs of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506). The other tombs being in the Dominican Republic (where he was first buried) and Cuba (to which his remains were initially moved). DNA testing has confirmed that Columbus' remains are now in Seville. The tomb is a casket carried by kings of Castile (front left), Leon (front right), Aragon, and Navarre (both in the rear).
Then we boarded the bus and returned to our ship. During the day we had seen many bougainvillea plants and jacaranda trees with purple flowers.
Using its bow thrusters the M/V Corinthian II turned around in the Rio Guadalquivir and she headed South for the about 50 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. We passed under this modern cable-stay bridge.
We went into a lock under construction. You can see two drawbridges in the open position; one for vehicles and pedestrians and one for railroad traffic.
In the photo on the right two small boats have entered the lock behind us; the lock is closed; the water level is lower; and the vehicular traffic bridge is down.
We had our mandatory safety drill. Seven bells means take your life jacket from your cabin and go to your assigned muster station in the Lounge. Once instructed, put on your life jacket and go to your assigned life boat position.
We started some of our on-board routine. Afternoon tea in the Club. A briefing on plans for the next day's activities in the Lounge. Then a lecture presentation by one of the Guest Lecturers.
The first lecture was given by Charles Ingrao, representing Smithsonian Journeys, and titled "Spain's Golden Ages". We heard about three pivotal years in Spain's history. 1492, Spain becomes a nation state through the marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. 1493, Spain turns overseas and becomes a world power. 1494, Spain becomes entangled in European wars through alliances.
Captain Georg Thomsen held a welcome cocktail reception. We learned that the Captain was in the German Navy for 34 years, then on a tall ship for 5 or 6 years. The heads of the deck, technical, engine, and hotel departments were introduced. This was followed by the Captain's Dinner in the Dining Room. [It's been a long day. But it's not over yet.]
We reached the Atlantic Ocean and headed East to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar. The thing is, the Rock of Gibraltar is not lit up at night. But we could see Morocco (Africa) on the starboard side and Spain (Europe) on the port side. At one point we passed lights on Africa which I think were Tangier; then just blackness on Africa; then a bright lighthouse on the continent of Europe; and then more lights on Africa which I think were Ceuta. So, I think that the three of us who stayed up until 1:10 am experienced passing by the Rock of Gibraltar and through the Straits of Gibraltar.
