Our rather large group squeezed into the narrow and picturesque Barrio Santa Cruz to explore its history in the tangle of winding streets and little plazas with their occasional orange trees in the Old Quarter. As we walked along Calle de Agua it was so tight it seemed that we were hugging the Alcazar’s garden walls. It was on this street that we passed a bronze plaque dated from 1925, and dedicated to Washington Irving. The plaque was on the wall of ‘House number 2’ where he once lived. In the spring of 1828, Washington Irving had arrived as a tourist at the port of Seville on the first steam ship in Spain that traced the Guadalquivir from Cádiz. He authored many books about Spain’s history but one of the most celebrated of his works about Spain was Cuentos de la Alhambra (Tales of the Alhambra) written in 1832. In this story Irving retells the legends of the famous Red Castle. There is a sculpture dedicated to Irving in the gardens of the Alhambra. For the historic adventurers there is a “Washington Irving route” from Seville to Granada that brings to life that romantic, and tourist “discovery” of Andalusia.

This area is really interesting. A combination of narrow street and huge wide ones gives a feeling of space and intimacy at the same time. Walking around the outside of the cathedral you can see the Moorish influence on the now Catholic building. The palace nearby is extraordinary and the architecture in general something you need to see. Ornate glazed cast iron Juliette balconies provide what may be the first double glazing against the intense heat of the summer. I highly recommend visiting in October when the days are a dry 26 or 27 degrees and just perfect for strolling

Amazing old jewish town. Its many small narrow streets and small Plazas will undoubtedly, captivate any visitor. I say, get lost inside, stop for a glass of wine at one of the small restaurants or bars, and continue exploring.