Further Afield

Sevilla

This majestic city that sits astride the Guadalquivir boasts much of what distinguishes Andalucía. A city with three world heritage sites in its own right:

• The beautiful Alcázar Palace still used in part by the current Royal Family.

• The great gothic Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede, the world’s third largest church. It incorporates the Giralda tower, a former minaret of its predecessor mosque, and contains the burial place of Christopher Colombus, and

• The General Archive of the Indies, which as its name suggests contains an extremely important archive documenting the history of the Spanish Empire in a lovely Renaissance building.

The Torre del Oro, a Moorish watch tower on the banks of the Guadalquivir constructed in the early 13 century, is another immediately recognisable symbol of the city. Sevilla is the home of La Bienal, a bi-annual Flamenco festival which lasts for nearly a month, and is the location of many a famous opera, Carmen, the Barber of Sevilla, the Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni to name but a few. Andalusian cuisine is also a feature – one must taste the delight that is Gazpacho Andaluz on a hot summer’s day under the shade of a suitable tree. And the celebration of Easter, Semana Santa, and the great party that is the Feria de Abril shortly afterwards, are simply legendary. It is a city like no other in Spain and can be reached in 90 minutes by road from the Mill.

Córdoba

Home to La Mezquita, surely amongst the most beautiful of all Islam’s great mosques, it is now a catholic cathedral but has retained much of the beauty and structure of the original Moorish construction. Once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate of Córdoba, the old city centre is a world heritage site. A picturesque Roman bridge crosses the Guadalquivir. It often boasts the highest summer temperatures in all of Spain. Three important festivals are celebrated in May culminating in the Feria de Córdoba, the equivalent of Sevilla’s Feria de Abril.

Córdoba is a 3-hour journey by road from the Mill.

Granada

Nestled below the Sierra Nevada and once the capital of the Almoravid dynasty it has, atop a hill overlooking the city, the cool splendour of The Alhambra Palace, Gardens and Citadel, a world heritage site. The old Albaicin district has a number of buildings of Moorish construction, there is a great cathedral, and flamenco is a popular tradition in the Sacromonte neighbourhood.

The pomegranate or ‘granada’ in Spanish is the heraldic device of the city. Granada is a 4-hour journey by road from the Mill.

Jerez de la Frontera

Jerez is known as the city of sherry (and brandy), horses and flamenco. There are many bodegas, some of which are known the world over and particularly in Britain where sherry has long been a favourite tipple. You can visit some of these bodegas and sample their wares but don’t go driving afterwards! A copita of manzanilla and some gambas pil pil are a delicious aperitif!

The city is also home to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, comparable to Vienna’s Spanish Riding School. Visiting a show is an absolute must. Jerez is the city where flamenco singing is said to have begun and is just over 2 hours by road from the Mill.

Ronda

The famous old bridge, the Puente Nuevo, which spans the El Tajo canyon provides an iconic view of this small town and is the reason why Ronda features on many a tourist’s Andaluz itinerary. Standing on it and looking out over the plains far below is a thrilling experience!

The Plaza de Toros de Ronda is the oldest bull ring in Spain and is small, elegant and well preserved. It is used once a year for the ‘Corrida Goyesca’. There is an interesting museum attached. Ronda is under 3 hours by road from the Mill.