So you are saying this building is older than my country?

Light illuminates the soaring interior.
La Catedral de Sevilla

These past two weeks, I have been taking an intensive language class called "La Historia Cultural de España" or the Cultural History of Spain. This class is essentially a crash course in Spanish History seen through the architecture and city planning through-out central Sevilla. Wandering through the streets of a city seeing buildings that have been around since the 12th century and pillars that were built by the Romans really puts in to perspective for you how ancient Sevilla is. About three blocks away from the CIEE Study Center, where my class is located, is the Plaza de Salvador. It appears to be like many a European plaza, housing a delicious gelato shop, Mamá Guay, several cervecerías and a big dusky pink church. This church that I pass by everyday on my walk to school, something as I have viewed as beautiful but especially breath-taking was originally the first mezquita (mosque) in Sevilla, built in the 12th century. This church like many of the churches and buildings in Sevilla demonstrate the passage of time and the combination and duration of certain cultures. Buildings appear unassuming until you learn how long they have been around, and the vast amount of purposes they have served. Another church, the most impressive to me is La Giralda, connected to El Catedral. La Giralda serves as a type of rock core sample, showing when certain religions appropriated the building for their own. La Giralda built in the 12th century by the North African Almohades who were residing in Sevilla at the time was an alminar, or a building used to call Muslims to pray. In the 14th century, during the Reconquista (reconquering) of Sevilla, Christians added on top of it to make it a appear more church like. In the 16th century it was once again added on to during the Renaissance period.

La Giralda viewed from the courtyard

         Every single day in class, I get more amazed with the wealth of history in this town. Visiting different sites that add into the identity and the culture of Sevilla only makes me happier that I am staying here for the year. Though a year is only a moment in the context of Sevilla’s past, I hope to make some sort of impression on this vibrant city.