And 23 September 2022
Italica in Santiponce, some 6 kms or so from Seville, and was a small settlement foundered in about 200 AD and the first Roman settlement in Spain.
It flourished under the reign of Hadrian, becoming an elaborate urban centre and achieving a significant political and economic status in the region.
Like all ruins it has suffered degradation over the years (in 1740 the walls of the amphitheatre were torn down to be used for construction of a local dam). For all that what does remain is amazing. Beautiful mosaics and a large (could seat 25,000 in its day) amphitheatre and of course lots of buildings and the odd statue.
Once we got back to town a dose of modern culture was next with a visit to Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, and like most contemporary art museums the art displays were fairly out there. Though the 'Alice in Wonderland' like one did appeal to us.
What was also v cool was the building the exhibition was housed in. The buildings were once the Monastery of Santa MarÃa de las Cuevas and some of the architecture is a blend of Christian and Muslim, called Mudejar - quite beautiful.
On top of that blend in the early 1800's a pom called Charles Pickman acquired the monastry and converted it into a tile factory. So successful was he that factory, La Cartuja de Sevilla, became one of the most popular brands in Europe.
After a lateish lunch we then collapsed in the room for a few hours as have found that round 3:00pm is when the heat of the day strikes and doesn't cool until about 6:00pm - which coincidentally is a good time for pre dinner drinks.
Tomorrow is another major does of culture - the Royal Palace.
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