Our last full day in Seville as we will be going on a day trip to Cordoba tomorrow. The sun was back but it was still cool. We are going to visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea or as most people call it Seville's cathedral. It' was (and remains) the largest church in the world by sheer volume (23,500 sq. m (252,953 sq. ft) and pretty much described the word Gothic. The cathedral stands on the site of the great 12th century Almohad mosque, with the mosque's minaret (the Giralda Bell Tower) still towering beside it. After Seville fell to the Christians in 1248, the mosque was converted into a church and used until 1401. Due to it's decaying state, it was decided to knock it down and "let us build a church so beautiful and so magnificent that those who see it finished will think we are mad". It took them a century to build (1401-1506) but they completed their mission. Seville cathedral became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Full size replica of Giralda Tower weather vane statue stands at the ticket entrance to the cathedral, known as the Door of the Prince. The bronze women is dressed in traditional Roman attire and represents the Triumph of the Christian Faith.
As you enter the cathedral you realize how hard it will be to do justice to it's stunningly large and lofty size. It's the longest Spanish cathedral with sixty giant stone pillars climbing 42 m (138 ft) to support sixty-eight ribbed naves.
The High Alter is the largest altarpiece ever made at 65 feet tall. It has 44 scenes from the life of Jesus and Mary carved from walnut and chestnut wood. It is covered with a staggering amount of golf leaf. The work took three generations to complete (1481-1564). Absolutely stunning to see in person.
The tomb of Christopher Columbus is carried by four Spanish kings. Columbus died in 1506 in northern Spain. His remains moved several times before being brought here from Cuba in 1898. Other cities claim to hold the remains of Columbus but DNA tests have proved beyond a doubt that this tomb is where he is interred.
One of the 80 side chapels inside the Cathedral is the 16th century Capitular (Chapter House) with its magnificent and intricately designed domed ceiling with Murillo's Immaculate Conception occupying the place of honor. The painting and frame are exactly curved to fit where it is, so it must have been designed and created specifically for that space.
The Court of the Orange Trees which is the churches Cloister was once the mosque courtyard where in the 12th century Muslims stopped at the fountain to wash their hands, face and feet before prayer. The Giralda Bell Tower was a former minaret built in 1198 and does not have steps to take you to the top but a graded ramp. This was designed to accommodate a donkey-riding muzzim who rode up five times a day to give the Muslim call to prayer. The Christians added the final 17 steps and belfry in 1568.
Rita on the graded ramp inside the Giralda Bell Tower
Looking out of the Giralda Bell Tower at some of Old Town Seville
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