Plaza España Sevilla

Under the threat of rain showers I ventured out to the cathedral only to find it closed for the night. So, I kept walking...heading for the Maria Luisa Park and the Plaza España, built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. The grand semi-circlular building housed exposition halls, many of which now house government offices. The central space features a huge fountain, massive amounts of decorative pebble paving, a moat, and bridges featuring ceramic decoration typical of the region. The tiled benches that line the base of the building represent each of the regions of Spain and are popular with Spanish tourists. It all felt a tad contrived, but beautifully executed, nonetheless. I think it says something about how space makes us feel...and this vast space made me feel small. In the end, it's the materials, the detail, the craft that made a positive impression.