Blogger, Sydney Lyons
Highlights:
- Museo de Bellas Artes
- Casa de Pilatos (Ana’s presentation)
- Cathedral of Sevilla (mine and Paulina’s presentations)
- Universidad de Sevilla (Grace’s presentation)
- Plaza de España
Today was our last day in Sevilla! We began with another delicious hotel breakfast and then headed to the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts). This museum houses a collection of paintings, sculptures, and photographs mainly from the Renaissance era, when art and language were blossoming in Sevilla. My personal favorite was “The Last Judgment” by Maerton de Vos from the later 16th century (pictured below). I was fascinated by the detail and emotions of the numerous figures.
After that, we walked to the Casa de Pilatos, passing by the famous Setas de Sevilla structure, and were taken through the history of the building by Ana. The complex was commissioned in 1483 by the viceroy to Sevilla and his wife, Catalina, and is seen as a true example of Sevilla architecture at the time. It features towering statues, beautiful gardens, and mesmerizing tile-work of the Mudéjar style that we’ve been studying.
After that was a quick lunch break, courtesy of Milk Away Cafe for some of us. We then headed to the Catedral de Sevilla, a true landmark of the city. There, I completed my second presentation on the exterior of the Gothic building, after which Paulina took us through the interior. Built in 1433, the cathedral is an architectural wonder, splendid religious space, and home of the tomb of Christopher Columbus. It exhibits the flying buttresses and pointed arches that are characteristic of Gothic architecture, as well as an astounding gold altar and stained glass.
Once we finished at the cathedral, we got gelato (thanks Dr. Pitamber!) and walked (surprising, I know) to the Universidad de Sevilla. Grace gave her presentation here on the building’s origins as a tobacco factory and its different uses throughout history. It was actually first used as a Roman burial ground before becoming a factory during the Spanish monopoly over tobacco trade and eventually shifting towards cigar production.
This concluded the group activities of the day, so many of us split off for our first round of laundry and dinner. Carson, Paulina, Jemma, Kacie, and I went to the Plaza de España for a delicious picnic dinner. The plaza was absolutely gorgeous at sunset and was made even more magical by the stage lights that they were testing out for Justin Timberlake’s concert on Friday. As a fun fact for all the Star Wars fans, this building was used as the set for the Palace of Naboo in Episode II, so it was quite surreal to see it in person. We left as it was getting dark to pick up churros and chocolate, which Jemma had been patiently waiting for for days. We enjoyed the sweet treat on one of the hotel terraces and people-watched over the square: a perfect ending to our time in what has definitely been my favorite city so far. Adios, Sevilla, and off to Granada tomorrow!
