Cadiz, Spain

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Cadiz was founded 100-150 years before Christ by Phoenicians. Today, there are about 200,000 people. It is located on a peninsula where two bridges link city to mainland. We crossed the 3 km long Constitution Bridge as we left the peninsula and headed toward Seville. Spain is a land heavily influenced by the Muslims, who had been on the Iberian peninsula for 800 years until Christians conquered the land.

Seville, Spain

Today the area around Seville is known for its sherry wine. It’s quality doesn’t depend on the year, but rather upon the taste of the “mother of the wine.” The oldest wine in the wine cellar is the “mother” and is mixed with the younger wines when they are being made. The darker the wine, the sweeter it is.

*In preparation for the Exposition of 1929, countries that participated built elaborate buildings representing themselves. Those buildings still remain, and many now are used as cultural centers for those individual countries.

*Casa de Pilatos – Pilate’s house

This was not actually Pilate’s house since it was built in the 15th century. Instead, the son of wealthy family visited Jerusalem and wanted to build this palace to commemorate the “stations of the Cross.” Pilate’s house (Praetorium) in Jerusalem is the first “station of the Cross,” which this palace was to represent. The architecture is similar to Arabic architecture (wood-plaster- mosaics) except instead of mosaics, ceramic tiles are used to cover the walls.

Clockwise from upper left: metalwork archway leading to courtyard (center); bust of Vespasian; Roman helmet; architecture; chapel; Spanish garden; goddess Artemis; Italian garden; courtyard.

*Cathedral de Sevilla

Currently being renovated, this is the world’s largest gothic cathedral, and it is here that the archbishop lives.

The bottom left photo is Christopher Columbus’ tomb. His bones are not buried in the crypt. Instead, they are being carried above it because Columbus stayed he did not want to be entombed.

*The Old Town

We strolled through the old section of Seville, through narrow and cobbled streets. Lots of little shops, places to eat, and town squares. We stopped for lunch at the San Marco restaurant.

Top: profiteroles with chocolate sauce

Bottom left: pork with raisin gravy and scalloped potatoes. Bottom right: salad

*Spanish Square

This was built by Spain for the Exposition of 1929. Each arch represents a state of Spain, and their names are in the ceramic tiles under their arch. The water represents the Atlantic Ocean, and the bridges connects Spain with the North American continent.

Today we walked about four miles. The weather was in the low 90’s, and it was a bit humid, but all in all, it was a very interesting and educational day.

Tomorrow: Granada, Spain