SEVILLA in my heart, Describing Seville in this way, in a few words in a Blog can be a difficult affair, but I will try…. I will try to tell you about beautiful Seville and what makes me love this city as if it were my hometown.

Seville has been my hometown for the last 25 years, I have soon lived longer in Seville than in Bergen, mmmm, do not know if I like it so much 😎, I am constantly asked “Yes you are a real” Sevillana ”By my friends, but I do not want to say that. I’m probably very Norwegian when truth be told, even after so many years in Spain. But back to Seville.

Seville and Spanish cliché

Everyone probably has their thoughts on Spain, and what is typically Spanish …… Sun, heat, beach and bathing life is probably something that everyone thinks about. But others like to fantasize about temperamental flamenco entertainment, while others run their teeth in water when they think of delicious tapas dishes served in small tapas bars in narrow labyrinthine streets. Some people think of colorful tiled walls in a historic building while others think of bullfighting or majestic cathedrals etc, etc.… .The truth is that almost everything you associate with Spain you will find a completely ordinary everyday life in Seville.

Seville from tradition to innovation

When I came to Seville over 25 years ago I had worked in Mallorca before and thought I showed what it was like to live in Spain but I did not, it was a culture shock when I came to Seville, here always have the traditions, the family and the religion stood very strong. But during the time I have lived here, I have been part of a fantastic transformation where the new and the old have been merged into one fantastic city. Now Seville is a vibrant city in most ways, we have one of Spain’s best cycle path networks, which has changed the traffic picture in Seville, from car to Bicycle in no time, an attractive environmentally friendly alternative (with sun and comfortable temperatures almost all year round and completely flat terrain) the “Sevillans” have embraced this mode of transport with great enthusiasm. The center of Seville has been given a facelift with pedestrian streets, wide avenues (where possible) we have got the center tram and modern monuments that have become as beloved as the cathedral and the Alcazar. Even the Tapas bars have taken part in the transformation. Now it is just as common with beetroot gazpacho and deep-fried bacalao with honey as Spanish serrano ham and Manchego cheese.

Seville and Tapas

Seville is the city in the world with the most tapas bars per capita. “Tapear” as it is now called eating tapas is a very common occupation in Seville’s everyday life. The streets are full of tapas bars everywhere. There are as many different tapas bars as there are cell phone covers, with a small terrace with a few simple chairs, perhaps not the most comfortable on a small narrow sidewalk next to a busy road in the center of Seville. Didn’t sound very attractive, but it’s where you meet your close friends because it’s not the place that counts, it’s the moment and the food that is shared that matters.

Life in Seville

But what is it that makes Seville so amazing? Many say it’s the people, others say the climate, some think it’s the story …… It’s probably a mixture of everything. There is a song about Sevilla in Spanish that says “Sevilla tiene un color especial” which means Sevilla has a color that sparkles. and I think it’s true… .. When you come to Seville the first thing you notice is the light. Yes, the light, the city sparkles in the sunshine even if it is over 45 º C in the middle of summer or 6 ºC in the winter. The exciting historic building in the heart of Seville tells of civilization after civilization that has conquered Seville and left its sports and brands, such as heyday in the golden age, of Moorish tradition, poetry and culture and the Romans with their architectural knowledge. All these historical memories are part of everyday life in Seville it is part of the souls of one who lives in Seville.

Although of course this is not entirely true, those who come from Seville have a reputation for being happy and lively people. Maybe a little unpretentious, known for telling jokes and is the one who jokes in assemblies. Thanks to the fantastic climate in Seville with pleasant temperatures from the end of February to November, most of the social life is spent outdoors. At bars and terraces, they eat tapas, drink wine and talk, often a little loudly for an ordinary Norwegian. And it is this joy and laughter that you feel in the streets of Seville, it kind of exudes “alegria” joy in every cobblestone and ceramic tile you see ..

Where is the romance?

To me, Seville is one of the most romantic cities I know. But where does all the romance come from? If you look back in time, the historical romantics of the 19th century have always been obsessed with exotic Seville. A respite for romantic thoughts when Greece and Rome were out of fashion. It is not for nothing that Seville has been home to several passionate operas. Carmen of Bizet, The Barber of Seville and Figaro’s wedding of Mozart all jealousy and love drama unparalleled. But you can still feel the sensual and adventurous atmosphere of Seville. A promenade in the Jewish map of Santa Cruz, invites you to atmospheric moments. In the intimate spaces you meet fountains with running water under the green orange trees. On the tiled benches you can easily sit and dream without even noticing it because time has stopped.

Maria Luisa Parken and Plaza España are the chosen place for all bridal couples in Seville where they immortalize their most romantic wedding day. A stately place embraced by irresistible charm and beautiful architecture. Here magic is created in every corner. The mix between the colorful park, the admirable ceramic tiles in the atmospheric corners of the park makes you enchanted.

Have I managed to tempt you? Are you coming to Seville?

I think I should be able to continue and write about Seville in many more pages, I have not written about any of the great monuments, the place, the experiences that you can visit in Seville, but it will have to wait until later.

I hope I have been able to create a picture of how I feel about this city and hope that you will come visit once and experience it for yourself.