The Alcazar

I walked back to the Cathedral area as my next place to visit was the Alcazar which is right around the corner from the Cathedral. The Alcazar is a 10th–century palace built for the local Moorish governors but which was rebuilt in the 14th century in the Moorish style by Moorish laborers for the Christian King Pedro I. It is still used as a royal palace. I wish I had planned more time to visit the Alcazar as I found it fascinating––plan at least several hours here. I spent most of my time in the Alcazar gardens. I have put my photos of the Alcazar on a slide show on this website: Go to Slide Shows, Western Europe, Spain–2, “Seville: The Alcazar.”  Photo: Entrance to the Alcazar.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

After visiting the Alcazar, I took the Rick Steves’ Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz. I started the walk on the side of the Alcazar, in the Patio de Banderas. You can look backward to see the Giralda Tower.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

The Patio de Banderas.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Still in the Patio de Banderas.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Through an alley from the Patio de Banderas.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

To this larger alley.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Fountain in the alley.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Through another arch.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

To the Plaza de Santa Cruz with its wrought–iron Cross of the Locksmiths.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Walking along the Alcazar wall on the right.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

This looks like a nice restaurant.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

More of the Alcazar wall to walk past.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Interesting building seen on my walk.

More interesting buildings.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

I was surprised to find myself in front of the ceramics store that I shopped at earlier in the day.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

More interesting buildings seen on my walk.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Statue of Don Juan in the Plaza de Refinadores.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Closer–up view of the statue of Don Juan.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Pretty buildings in the Plaza de Refinadores.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

The Convent of San Jose del Carmen.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Casa de Murillo. The home of the famous painter.

Walk Through Barrio Santa Cruz

Another building seen on my walk. I followed Rick Steves’ directions to a tee, but I got to a street where either they changed the street names or his book was in error. Rick Steves says that the best way to see the Barrio Santa Cruz is to just walk around and get lost. I wasn’t lost as I recognized where I had ended up and knew how to get back to my hotel, which I did. I had to get some dinner––I ate a gyro at a Middle Eastern restaurant––and to get ready for our night on the town.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

Merrie asked our hotel to recommend a classical flamenco show. They recommended Los Gallos (the Roosters) (also recommended by Rick Steves). We arrived at Los Gallos, in the Plaza Santa Cruz, at about 8 p.m., 1/2 hour before show time. It was already almost full, but I asked for a seat where I could take photos. Surprisingly, we were seated in the front row. Photo of the Los Gallos stage.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

The guitarist and flamenco singers.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

Painting of a flamenco dancer on the side of the stage.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

The first flamenco dancer. I had an excellent seat in which to take movie clips of the dancers, except that a man sitting behind me was very annoyed by the red light flashing on my camera while I was taking movies. I finally figured out how to hide the flashing light by scrunching down in my chair and covering the light with my sweater. However, I still was able to take some good movie clips. This flamenco dancer appears in “Los Gallos Flamenco, Seville–1,” under Movies, Western Europe, Spain.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

Flamenco dancer coming down the steps to enter the stage.

Flamenco at Los Gallos

Same dancer as in the last photo. She also appears in a movie clip:  Movies, Western Europe, Spain,  “Los Gallos Flamenco, Seville–2.”

Flamenco at Los Gallos

This dancer appears under Movies, Western Europe, Spain, “Los Gallos Flamenco, Seville–3.”

Flamenco at Los Gallos

This male flamenco dancer appears under Movies, Western Europe, Spain, “Los Gallos Flamenco, Seville–4.”

Flamenco at Los Gallos

The flamenco finale––Movies, Western Europe, Spain, “Los Gallos Flamenco, Seville–5.”  We very much enjoyed this show. It was a great way to end a very sight–filled Columbus Day.