Seville's location makes it an ideal for exploring Andalusia. Many towns are surrounding Seville. Cordoba is the most easily visited by train from Seville. Other towns like Jerez and Cadiz are less than an hour apart from Seville and can be visited in one day. Ronda and Granada are beautiful town but we did not have enough time to visit there. Maybe next time.
Many novel writers like Ronda. For example, Hemingway's novel " For Whom the Bell Tolls", the Republicans killed and thrown the nationalists from the cliffs in an Andalusian village. The cliffs are the cliffs of El Tajo. Orson Welles get many inspirations from his frequent trips to Ronda.
Before depart to airport, We went to Metropol Parasol. Actually, it is very near our accommodation. Just few blocks away.
Espacio Metropol Parasol
is a wooden structure. It is designed by a German architect.
The structure consists of six parasols in the form of giant mushroom. This is inspired by the vaults of the Cathderal of Seville and the ficus trees in the nearby Plaza de Cristo de Burgos.
It has four level. The underground level is houses of Antiquarium, Level 1 is the street level is the Central Market. Level 2 and 3 have restaurant and panoramic terraces.
I just noticed that my hotel area has many restaurants and cafes.
Actually, El Corte also can find at here. El Corte is the biggest department store group in Europe and the only remaining department store in Spain.
Universidad de Sevilla
This time, we did not use taxi to airport. We took bus to airport. It is just 4 Euro for adult and it is free for kid. The bus stop for aerobus is very near our hotel. It is approximately 10 minutes walking distance.
Finally, we reached Santiago de Compostela. Santiago is the capital of Galicia in the northwestern Spain. This city famous with the shrine of Saint James the Great. Now, Santiago is the destination of the pilgrimage route of St. James. In 1985, the old town of the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Fonseca College
Path with the Cathedral view
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
is the reputed burial place of Saint James the Great.
Obradoiro Square
Here has a hotel.The name of the hotel is Parador de Santiago de Compostela.
This is one of the most luxurious and beautiful hotel in Santiago. According to the hotel website, the hotel was built as a royal hospital (Hospital Real) in 1499 to accommodate pilgrims travelling to Santiago. It is considered the oldest hotel in the world and the room provided a great view of the cathedral and Obradoiro and Quintana Squares. Besides, Palacio de Gelmirez a medieval Archbishop's palace also located at the square.
Pilgrim costume
The scallop shell is a symbol of the Camino de Santiago.
Wearing a shell denotes that the person is on the Camino de Santiago.
Most of the pilgrims receive a shell at the beginning of their journey. The shell can be served as gathering water to drink or for eating out of a makeshift bowl.
Many people in the old town because St Jame's feast was around the corner.
25th of July is St Jame's Feast.
James is son of Zebedee and he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
Main street to enter old town
Our dinner
Tarta de Santiago, the famous dessert in Santiago.
The cross of Santiago in the Tarta is simulates a Latin cross and a sword with three lilies in her arms and grip. The sword represents the chivalrous character of St James his way of martyrdom.
Tarta de Santiago is an almond cake or pie. The filling consists of ground almonds, eggs and sugar with lemon zest, sweet wine, brandy or grape marc.
It is around 10 Euro for a whole piece of almond cake.
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