The forecast for this morning was for rain, but luckily it ended early and had cooled things off enough to go for a run. I was a little anxious about it because it was here in Sevilla that I hurt my Achilles last October. Not wanting a repeat I took a different route, heading to Plaza de España and Parque Maria Luísa along the Río Guadalquivir.
I was relieve that it as mostly paved or brick which I seem to do okay on. When I got to the stone and uneven trail parts I could certainly feel it a little more. I was relieved that the path was like that for only for a short part of the run.
Plaza de España is one of my favourit places in Sevilla. It is stunning and was built almost 100 years ago for an Ibero-American Exposition. Architecturally it mixes elements of the Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival and Moorish Revival styles.
Right next to it is Parque Maria Luísa, a beautiful green space in the middle of a very urban city. There are massive trees and lots of smaller gardens, including some water features that have swans and other birds around.
After lunch, some shopping and a bit of a rest, I set out to explore the area where I am staying, Macarena. This is the oldest suburb of Sevilla, dating back to Roman times and there is still a tower and wall which was called Puerta de la Macarena. There is also the Basílica de la Macarena that has a revered Virgin of the Macarena statue.
One of the things I am struck by is how religious it is here. Lots of pictures of saints on buildings and many churches mixed in with bars, restaurants, shops and the Mercado de la Feria where you can get some really great food. Speaking of which, it’s time for some wine!
