Inside Seville's magnificent Cathedral
Above: Gothic splendor and the tomb of Christopher Columbus, held aloft by four heralds representing the historic Spanish kingdoms of Castile, León, Aragon, and Navarre
Below: a surprise procession weaves through the streets of Cádiz
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I’d given up on ever witnessing the grandeur of Seville’s Semana Santa - those vast, candlelit processions during Holy Week that draw the world to this ancient city every Easter, a time of crushing crowds and scarce accommodations - when I turned a corner in Cádiz, of all places, and found myself face to face with the unexpected: Nuestra Señora de la Merced seated regally under a canopy of flowers and tall glowing candles, surrounded by beating drums and marching tubas, a sudden, intimate moment of devotion slowly weaving its way through the narrow streets. And it felt like a private gift. - BPJ
Andalucia
3 hours (or less) from Paris
(2 1/2 hours direct flight)
