We visited Carmona during the week and got to see a depth of history dating back 5,000 years intermixed with the modern Santa Semana (Holy Week) preparations. This was a fun city to walk through with tons of small streets. I loved seeing all the locals out and about. We had some churros in the market square that were greasily delicious. Between the original settlement 5,000 years ago and the 8th century BC, the city was more of a settlement with the people living in the limestone outcroppings or round huts in the higher areas. The 8th century was when the Phoenician traders came from the East by the sea and up the Guadalquivir river. They brought their culture and products much like how they influenced much of Southern Spain. The next significant step was with the Romans where parts of the Roman tombs and an amphitheater still stand in the city. The 1st century was the most prosperous due to agricultural production and long-distance trade. Then the 8th century had the Muslims come in where they built mosques and more city structure. The 11th century aljama mosque built the Patio de los Naranjos and a minaret that is conserved in the Santa Maria church. The christian conquest was in 1247 AD. During the early Christian times lived Pedro Cruel (as named by his half-brother who ultimately killed Pedro) who was the gentleman that locked away his wife in the tower at Dona Blanca. Pedro the Cruel built a palace where the current Parador is built that has an amazing view of the surrounding valley. Now, Carmona trades in wine, olive oil, grain, and cattle; along with tourism. A very fun city.
Puerta de Sevilla (Seville Gate)
Plaza del Mercado de Abastos (Public Market)
Plaza de San Fernando
The house of the Marquis de las Torres - built in the 16th century
The Roman room in the town museum
Alcazar del Rey Don Pedro fortress, built on the grounds of Pedro the Cruel's palace
Inside the parador.
I love these fuschia flowers, they are all over one hill on base that I love driving by.
Stork nest on the top of the church dome.
All of the cloths hanging out of the windows are in celebration of Santa Semana, the week preceding Easter
Me and Paddles with the Santa Maria church in the background. The tower was once a minaret.
Roman amphitheater.
Roman tombs
Inside the Roman tombs.
I love how the construction workers are working in polo shirts and kaki pants with a picture of a saint over the job site.
These guys are EVERYWHERE this weekend with the Easter processions. It is so weird to see them knowing how similar their outfit is to the KKK.
No comments:
Post a Comment