Stoned and Plastered in Sevilla ~ BanderasRojas

I met my friends Saturday afternoon at La Perlita, next to the Church of the Magdalena, where I disappointed them all by nursing two small beers over a period of four hours. I'm a cheap date. The only way stoned and plastered find their way into my conversation is through the discussion of art and architecture. Sevilla has a lot of stone and plaster. I went for a walk this afternoon and decided to focus my attention on the works that adorn so much of this amazing city.

TOO MUCH CATNIP. DUDO SLEEPING IT OFF.

My first stop was at the very grand Ayuntamiento (City Hall). The Spanish Inquisition began right here in Sevilla in 1481. After 1534, trials were held in Plaza San Francisco in front of the newly completed Ayuntamiento. Victims were then burned (either alive or, if they confessed, "mercifully" garroted first) in Plaza San Francisco or in the Prado de San Sebastian (where you can now catch one of a number of buses to the beach or other charming destinations).

THE ORIGINAL AYUNTAMIENTO FACADE ON PLAZA SAN FRANCISCO.
(GETTING READY FOR MORE SPECIAL EVENTS.)

RUNNING THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE ORIGINAL FACADE.

MORE FRIEZE-WORK.

A modern addition was added to the back of the Ayuntamiento in 1891; it then became the front of the building and faces onto Plaza Nueva. A major altar is being completed out back in Plaza San Francisco for upcoming festivities to honor Corpus Christi, which is Thursday. So, yes, there will be more parades (and, no, there will be no trials or burnings). We heretics are now kindly welcomed. I'll have plenty more photos of the Ayuntamiento during the week.

AYUNTAMIENTO TOWER UNDER A MOSTLY CLOUDY SKY.

WHO ARE THESE GUYS AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO THE CHERUB?
I'D LOVE AN INSIDER TOUR OF THE CARVINGS.

Passing the Ayuntamiento, I of course had to make a brief stop at the ornate gothic Cathedral (which was consecrated in 1507 after being built atop the Almohad Mosque, which was built in 1198). I could fill pages with photos of the sculptures and carvings. Once beyond the Cathedral, I saw lots more of course, but I've decided to save those photos (and whatever else I come across in the meantime) for future posts. So, look forward to more opportunities to get stoned and plastered with me.