2017-10 : Visit to Seville, Osuna & Carmona
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A group of 24 AAA members enjoyed a 5-day trip to Seville, Osuna and Carmonoa, an area that has much to offer in terms on interesting sites and monuments. We spent the first two nights in Seville where, on the first day, we visited the Alcazar with its stunning gardens. It was built as a fort by the Almohads in the 12th century and was rebuilt in the 14th century; later additions were made in the Renaissance period (by Charles V) and up to the 19th century
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The Alcazar - Seville
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The following day we visited the Metropol Parasol in the Plaza de la Encarnacion which was quite a surprise: it is a large wooden structure completed in 2011 that is covered by a swathe of honeycombe roofs and is hence known as 'The Mushroom'. It is considered the largest wooden structure in the world. It was originally planned as a market with a carpark on the lower level. However, during the excavation extensive Roman and Islamic remains were found, and thus the lower level was developed as a museum instead (the Antiquarium).
We then visited the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija. This Mudejar palace was acquired by the countess of Lebrija in 1901. She was a fervent collector of Roman and Moorish art. According to experts this is the best tiled museum of Europe. The palace contains many beautiful Roman mosaics (540 m2), some of which were from the nearby Roman city of Italica. After lunch we also visited the Palacio de las Dueñas, a 15th century palace set in lovely gardens which is still the home of the House of Alba.
We then visited the Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija. This Mudejar palace was acquired by the countess of Lebrija in 1901. She was a fervent collector of Roman and Moorish art. According to experts this is the best tiled museum of Europe. The palace contains many beautiful Roman mosaics (540 m2), some of which were from the nearby Roman city of Italica. After lunch we also visited the Palacio de las Dueñas, a 15th century palace set in lovely gardens which is still the home of the House of Alba.
Metropol Parasol ("the Mushroom")
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Palacio Lebrija
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On the third day we travelled to nearby Osuna where we stayed for a further two nights in a delightful hotel, the Casona de Calderon, a historic building with a beautiful courtyard. After settling in we had a guided tour walking the surrounding streets which are lined with magnificent Renaissance and Baroque houses.
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The quarry El Coto Las Canteras
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The next day we visited El Coto Las Canteras, a sandstone quarry that was already used in Roman times. Many of Osuna's magnificent baroque buildings were also built with stone from this quarry. The quarry has been further excavated to form a vast sculptured hall now used for concerts, wedding receptions and other events. We passed by the Roman necropolis and the Roman amphitheatre of which only 7 tiers are visible. |
Meeting the local archaeologist in Osuna was interesting as he explained the way in which they are excavating the city walls that were constructed in Almohad and Medieval times. After a sumptuous lunch we visited the monastery of the Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Asunción as well as the University of Osuna.
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On the last day of the trip we visited Carmona to see the famous and extensive Roman necropolis. Our guide showed us the deep holes where families buried their dead; in the past they would come and bring offerings and party at the tomb site to keep their deceased family content. One of the tombs for a girl named Servilia was particularly large and surprisingly the body had been entombed in a sarcophagus. After lunch in a local restaurant we returned to the Algarve after a very interesting few days.
The tomb of Servilia
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