Nabilah learns about bullfighting world in Sevilla

Tiana statue

Since there was no free internet in our apartment back in Sevilla, the story is not freshly told from 'the oven'. But, we did book quite a luxurious apartment. The interior is greenish and there is an extra cosy sofa bed to lay on. An X-factor of the apartment, there is english speaking television program to be watched. It was so pathetic and clueless to watch Spanish program at every hotel we stayed. When we arrived in Sevilla Pierre and Vacances, finally our ears can listen to proper at least American English news. Enough elaboration on our accommodation, now lets talk about the city itself.

The Alcazar Palace

Sevilla is quite a big city compared to Cordoba. We stayed in the new town and had to walk across Tiana Bridge to get into the old town where the cathedral of bull fighting is located. Sevilla is very famous with bull fighting. Though the fighting is usually held during spring season, we still had the opportunity to visit Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza of Seville. The bullring and its museum entrance fee is just 4EURO and we learn a lot from the tour guide explanation.

Patio de las Doncellas, The Garden of Alcazar Palace

The fighting is between a bull and a team of human, consists of 4 people. One match happens within 30 minutes. There are 3 weapons used to kill the bull or also known as Toro in Spanish. The bull fighter needs to stab a weapon in every 10 minutes. After 20 minutes, the last weapon needs to be stabbed on the bull's neck. The president who is also the judge of the match will throw a white flag to mark the winner. If the bull is brave and still strong even after the match, an orange flag will be thrown. The injured bull will be slaughtered and its meat is sold for 60EURO per kilogram. Long time ago, the meat is given to the poor people for free. However, over the time, the meat is sold in the market and the profit will go to the bull's owner. To show how holy Sevilla is in bull fighting history, if the bull fighter has fought in Sevilla's bull ring, he must be a good experienced fighter.

Plaza de Espana

After the museum tour ended, we went to see the other major attractions at the city. The city was so colourful with Christmas lighting decoration. There is The Holy Cathedral; the largest Gothic temple in the world and third largest cathedral of the Christian world in Sevilla city. Legend tells that when it was ordered to be built, the Chapter exclaimed,

Let us construct such a big building that those who see it finished may believe we are mad.

In between 1184 and 1198, there was a mosque built on the site where the cathedral is located. When Christian authority invaded Sevilla, Prince Don Alfonso destroyed the mosque and the only part left is 76 metre high minaret, a.k.a tower. The Giralda was such an admired building that when the Muslims surrendered the city, the prince even warned the people that he would kill anybody who tried to destroy the minaret. He said,

If only one brick were removed from the tower they would all be stabbed to death.

When the mosque was built by Ahmed Ben Baso, the muezzin used to recite athan from the top of this minaret. An interesting fact about this impressive minaret, there are no steps to climb but 35 ramps, so that the muezzin in charge calling the people to prayer could climb to the top on his horse. It is also used to monitor the city, and can be seen as far as 40 km away. So, it is good to alert people if there are enemies coming back in old era.

The muslim minarette, la Giralda

We managed to bargain the fare for horse carriage. The horse rider brought us to Plaza de Espana and other few places such as Maria Luisa's garden, Torre del Oro (The Golden watchtower), Alcazar Palace and Sevilla University which used to be a tobacco factory. The feeling was good as it was my first time experiencing horse riding.

La Catedral

The suspense part was when checking out the apartment. We accidentally left the apartment key at the inside door knob. Only Allah knew how scared I was during that time. We did not want to be penalised an extra charge because of this stupid mistake. Alhamdulillah, the technician managed to unlock the door without having to abruptly bang it. He only took about half an hour unlocking it with a piece of hard plastic file. We left Sevilla with relief. Phew....

Torre del Oro (Golden Tower) is a defensive tower built almost at the end of the Muslim period.  It is called  the Golden Tower as the upper part was covered with golden tiles which reflected the sun, and could be seen kilometres away.