Seville 3 of 8

The narrow romantic canal feature arcing along side and across the front of the building is often referred to as " the Venice of Spain" be it a very mini version. Never the less it does have a Venice persona with its cute colourful boats. Four arced ornate bridges used as a canal crossing, add  to the Venice aura. People stopped atop the bridges for photo shoots or just to enjoy all that was to see in this magnificent  Plaza de Espana. 

The four bridges were selected to represent the four ancient kingdoms of Spain; Aagon, Castille, Leon and Navarre. Each bridge has been  lavishly decorated in brightly patterned tiles which adds to the magical beauty of the plaza, arched building and canal complex. 

A particularly unique functional safety feature of the canals system is the banister rail and rungs which line the the outer edge of the some parts of the canal and both sides of all four bridges. The banisters and rails have been fashioned out of hand-made ceramics. Each rung has also been hand painted in a dutch-blue colour on a white background and the pattering is beautiful. They were lovely to touch, cool, smooth and impressive.

Enjoy the close up photograph of one of the handrails and rungs.

After crossing over one of the beautifully decorated arc bridges we entered the ground level portico which swoops the whole curvature of the building. The portico is lined with tall arches, each supported by a air of dainty white marble twin columns. The portico area provides a clear sweeping view of  the whole building as well as the plaza with its sparkling fountain and many visitors.

Looking out from the portico we could also see that the massive water fountain set amid a gigantic carved bowl right in the middle of the square was spouting water high into the air, creating a misty view of everything on the opposite side of the plaza.  Several horse drawn carriages, icecream vendors, tourists and hawkers were milling around the square and there was an air of grandeur about the whole scene.

Continuing out tour we discovered that the first floor of the building which is reached by sets of wide staircases also provides a brilliant view over the city from its balustrade and balconies. We were most impressed and could imagine how this spectacular building " took the world by storm" in 1929, at the 29 World Expo. Then the pavilions were filled with exotic displays of the arts and crafts and manufactured goods from Spain and Latin America. Seville not only built the square complex to wow it's visitors but it's display of arts and crafts exhibits and talents in industry were also viewed by people from all over the world.

Today these large pavilions house government offices (how stylish they are) and some private offices. Some pavilions are used for various exhibitions and celebration ceremonies throughout the year and one section of the building is also being used as a museum