Even though it rained the entire day, I could not think of a better way to spend a Saturday in southern Spain than to travel to Sevilla. We hit the road at about 9:00 am, and we made it to the city by 11. The city itself is beautiful: there are orange trees lining the street and gorgeous fountains decorating plazas filled with flowers and pedestrians. The rain couldn’t dampen the mood as we entered the main square. I have never been in a place so saturated in history, and I can say with certainty that I will never find anywhere that can compare in the United States.
Our first stop of the day was at the Real Alcázar of Sevilla, which still houses the Spanish monarchs when they visit this region. This palace was first built during the reign of King Pedro III in the 11th century, and housed many important people and events. I could not believe my ears when the guide told me that I was standing in the same room where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella gave Christopher Columbus permission to begin the voyage that would eventually put America on the map. The palace was a perfect blend of Arabic architecture and Christian sentiment; tiles shone like jewels as ornate arches and ceilings soared above us, demonstrating the immense wealth and power of the monarchy. In a place so full of significance and splendor, it was easy to question my significance in history and question if the people who once inhabited these halls knew they would change the course of history.
The other significant place we visited in Sevilla was the Catedral de Sevilla, which happens to be the largest gothic style cathedral in the world and third largest overall. The outside of the building was ornately carved, depicting God, saints, and angels. The cathedral is surrounded by an orange tree grove, a nod to the Muslim mosque that was destroyed in order to build the cathedral. The inside was breathtaking: I don’t think that neither my words nor my pictures will ever do it justice. The space is covered with soaring vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. Everywhere you look there is a chapel dedicated to one saint or another, and the air feels alive with the spirit of the past. It was a place where I could feel the presence of God in my very bones. In addition to the cathedral being an important religious site, it is also an important historical site as well. It is in this church that you can find the tombs of Christopher Columbus, King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella, King Alfonso the tenth, various cardinals, bishops, saints, and many more. I could not believe that I was so close to all that is left of the legends from my history books. It was very humbling.
Leaving Sevilla was very bittersweet. I knew our journey together must continue, but in a place like this, it can be difficult to leave the past behind. As I watch the city disappear in the back window, I feel so blessed to have traveled to Sevilla and I know that this experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m sad to leave, but I know that one day in the future the city will welcome me back as it has for visitors for thousands of years.