Seville Orange

Seville Orange

 My mother once wanted to book a holiday to Seville, but the woman in the travel agent, who came from northern Spain, sneered, ”Seville- it’s the frying pan of Europe!” 

This is true in the summer with temperatures in the 40‘s,but at Easter it’s lovely. You can tell the Sevillian civilians in spring, because they’re the ones wearing leather jackets, boots and scarves, while the tourists are all in shorts and t-shirts and it’s nice enough to go out in a sleeveless dress in the evening, but not so hot that you feel drained.

The Seville Fair takes place every year after Holy Week. 

Entrance to the Feria

To get to the fair, you walk past the old tower Torre D’Oro, that used to be entirely gilded and take the first bridge over the river. It’s a good spot to meet people on their way to the fair. The river is surprisingly  beautiful, calm and wide, it’s busier on the east, with wonderfully coloured houses and palm trees on the west. 

On the way to the fair

3 out of 4 ladies wear traditional costume on the way to the fair

 Pretty woman wearing an embroidered shawl

People come to show off horses, carriages and flamboyant costumes. Most of the women wear traditional flamenco dresses, bright colours and spots are favoured. Accessories are tasseled shawls, dangling earrings, red lipstick, mantillas and large brightly coloured roses, worn on top of the head. No hand bags in evidence but many fans. 

Roses grow on you

A couple having fun at the fair

Ladies in a riot of colour

Lady with big earrings and a large rose

The female horse riders, are mounted side-saddle in traditional skirts and short jackets, or wear trousers, jackets andwaistcoats. Men wear cropped jackets, wide brimmed hats and tight trousers.

A very poised lady on horseback

Side saddle style

A smart horse rider

And the carriages...

Mystery man with a cigar and girls

Skinny young man 

Laughing lady in orange dress

Teenage boy in smart suit

Cuban man and lady with giant earrings

Tiny children are smartly dressed and still wide awake at 1.00am.

Signorita in a blue dress

Even the horses are well presented, with impeccably groomed manes and tails and lovely pom-pom head decorations.

What the well dressed equine is wearing this season

You can lead a horse to water.....

It’s a lively scene, with private booths where the locals drink, eat tapas and dance.Professional Flamenco performers provide musical entertainment and dance. In the larger private areas bands sing Abba songs. Apart from the street sweepers, in fluorescent jackets, who have to use brooms and water hoses to keep on top of the quantity of horse manure, the scene is virtually exactly as it was in the 1920s.

A private booth

All ages dancing 

Oranges are delicious in Seville, the nicest we’ve ever eaten. And the colour orange is very popular in the flamenco fashions.

Bright orange is popular

Orange dress with tassels

Even the horse poo man favours orange......