Greek and Roman Mythology Comes Alive in Seville

We visited the Archeology Museum of Seville yesterday and really enjoyed it. Many of the artifacts are from the Roman City of Italica--- it's only 6 kilometers north of Seville and supposedly the first Roman city built outside the Italian Peninsula. 

 We plan to visit Italica in person when we return from Morocco next week but here's a little taste of how Roman and Greek Mythology jumped out at us. We'll post about the museum next. 

Looks like Hermes right? It's the Roman God, Mercury.

Even with his head missing, the  Mercury was gigantic! Gigi is tall and she came up to his toe!

This is Zeus' hand (it was gigantic too) holding a lightning bolt.

Can you read the label? 'Mano de Zeus'? Wow!

Here's Diana, a Roman Goddess.

Diana, Goddess of the hunt was probably holding a bow and arrow in those missing hands.  She still looked fierce. 

Her brother Apollo was nearby but we missed him! Baby-O was getting tired by this point and the museum was about to close. 

Italica, the city where these treasures were found, was built for wounded soldiers to heal---the soldiers were wounded in the great battle of Ilipa during the second Punic War. The history of the  battle of Ilipa , is extremely interesting; click back there to read about it. 

The Battle of Ilipa is a fascinating tale about how missing breakfast can cost you, maddened elephants, and peoples with names like Celtiberians! If you want to see the playbook for the battle complete with visuals click here.)

Seville Pigeons and Horses Oh My!

The air soft as that of Seville in April, and so fragrant that it was delicious to breathe it.

Christopher Columbus 

We think we smelled what Christopher Columbus experienced last night, walking through the grand park in Seville. The air was so heavy with oranges it seemed as if we were inside the fruit. We had a wonderful horse and carriage ride with Don Luis, he explained his job was his passion. His grandfather and father had done it before him and one of his sons would continue the tradition.

We came upon this:

I asked what would be done to the oranges and Don Luis said, 'They're on their way to England.' I replied, 'For the marmalade!' He grinned and agreed. The grand majority of the oranges on the trees in Andalucia around the streets  aren't fit to eat, they are too bitter. The British make marmalade out of them but a running joke is that even that, is bitter.

                      

There is a plaque that says, 'Who doesn't have a picture of the pigeons in the park of Seville?'

The one below let's you know you're reaching the place of the pigeons.

Here's what happened.

They loved Gigi so much her hair actually came out of its hairpiece!

 Note the pigeon about to dive-bomb Gigi's face!

Everyone of all ages delights in the pigeons whether wearing them or watching them.

When I asked this lady visiting the pigeons with her grandchildren how long this place had been dedicated to the pigeons she replied, "Forever! I'm 65 and I came here when I was a baby."

Mastering being with the pigeons is not easy but once you get the hang of it's amazing report the kids.