Spain Blog #53: Seville: Climb to the Top of a Tower, and a Ghost!

Bells at the top of the Tower! 

In today's blog, you'll climb to the top of the tower in the Cathedral of Seville, where I (Rob) met a ghost with a tragic end. Every time we go on vacation, Tom likes to go to the highest point to take in the view (I admire that, but my asthma doesn't). You'll learn Fun Facts about the Cathedral and see the largest altarpiece in the World!! Anyway, come along and learn about the Cathedral, the Tower and the GHOST!

FUN FACTS ABOUT THE SEVILLE CATHEDRAL

1) The Seville Cathedral is one of the famous Roman Catholic cathedrals in Spain.  

Largest altarpiece in the world! 

2) Seville Cathedral is the third-largest church in the world as well as the largest Gothic church.  

3) Seville Cathedral has 15 doors on its four facades and each one features a unique relief or carving.

4) Built on the site of the great 12th-century Almohad mosque, Seville’s cathedral was built to demonstrate the city’s power and wealth.

5) The cathedral’s construction lasted over a century, from 1401 to 1506.
6) The total area of the Cathedral is at 11,520 square meters (124,000 square feet).

LARGEST ALTARPIECE IN THE WORLD 

The Cathedral's Gothic altar piece was the life’s work of a single craftsman, Fleming Pieter Dancart. Composed of 45 carved scenes from the life of Christ, it is carved in wood and covered with staggering amounts of gold. It is the largest and richest altarpiece in the world.

SEVILLE CATHEDRAL'S AMAZING TALL GIRALDA BELL TOWER 

View from the top of the bell tower

Originally built as a minaret between 1184 and 1198 during the Moorish period, with a Renaissance style top subsequently added by Spanish conquistadors in 16th century. At the top is the 16th century El Giraldillo weather vane, an enormous bronze statue of a female figure bearing a cross to symbolize Faith. The tower is 104.1 m (341.5 ft) in height and remains one of the most important symbols of the city, as it has been since medieval times.

2nd view of Seville from the Bell Tower

CLIMBING THE TOWER - What was fascinating is that this tower didn't have stairs, it was entirely concrete ramps! Still since it was so high, I assume it was about 18 plus stories high, it was still an asthma challenge for me. We made the climb with our friend Scott and enjoyed the view!

Bell Tower where the Ghost is!

Old clockworks in the tower

GHOST IN THE TOWER! - Since I (Rob) was a kid I've been able to sense ghosts and spirits,and there was a ghost in the Bell Tower. 36 landings up, I encountered a ghost. He was at the top of the tower, and it was a man. He told me that he was in his 40s when he jumped to his death from the top of the tower. He said he was broke and destitute. He actually made my legs shake and I felt fear, was choked up to tears and felt his deep regret for taking his own life. It was quite emotional. I heard "No esperanza!" - That's Spanish for  "No hope." He also gave me two male names, and one was his, but the other belonged to someone he wanted a to give a message. The names were "Jaime" and "Rodrigo." - Jaime means "James" in English. He also told me that he believed God would care for his family, and the last clue he gave me to his identity was the year 1673. I assume that was the year that he jumped from the tower.  We left the top of the tower and my legs stopped shaking after I got down a couple of floors. I didn't expect to meet someone with such a tragic story at the top of the tower. 

NEXT: ALCAZAR PALACE! 

Spain Trip #7: Barcelona Bike Tour: Oldest Hospital and a Ghost!

In today's blog of our Spain trip we'll take you along on the city bike tour!  Our guide, Marit, was amazing. She's from the Netherlands and moved to Barcelona. She knew Spanish and the city amazingly well. In this first stop, we'll take you to the oldest hospital in the city, where someone famous died, and where we encountered a ghost!

WHAT IS THE HOSPITAL DE SANT PAU I DE LA SANTA CREU? It an early-16th-century building in Barcelona. It was a hospital and hospice in the past. Today, it is the home of the medical faculty and the Catalan State Library.  It is an Historic and Artistic Landmark of National Interest.

Stairway statue

WHEN BUILT? In 1401 the Council of One Hundred (Concell de Cent), the former government of Barcelona, decided to build the Hospital de la Santa Creu. It was built to bring together 6 city hospitals. Construction and reconstruction continued throughout the centuries. During the 16th and early 17th centuries, one of the four wings was demolished, two more wings were added and another court was built adjacent to the first. 

plaque stating Antoni Guadi died here

WHEN DID IT STOP BEING A HOSPITAL? By the end of the 19th century, the hospital had become outdated because of the growth of the city and advances that had been made in medicine and hygiene, so it was moved to a new site at the Hospital de Sant Pau, built between 1902 and 1930.


WHAT FAMOUS PERSON DIED HERE? A month before the hospital was closed down in 1926, Architect and Artist Antoni Gaudí died here three days after he was hit by a tram. Gaudi had gone mad before he was hit by a tram. He was brought here where he died shortly afterward. You'll learn about Gaudi as we continue with the blogs. Hint: He helped design Europe's most visited Cathedral in Barcelona (which you will see in later blogs). There is a plaque on one of the walls that states that "Antoni Gaudi died here." 

Courtyard entrance where Rob saw the ghost

ROB SENSED A GHOST! Since we both have the ability to sense Earth bound ghosts or spirits (who have crossed over), it was no surprise to me that I sensed a ghost lingering in the courtyard. It was the ghost of a man who was a former patient. He died in the hospital several hundred years ago. The man was standing near the entrance to the courtyard. He passed from a severe fever and was confused when he awoke in the afterlife. He decided to go to the courtyard where he would spend time during his hospital stay, and wound up getting stuck Earthbound as a ghost. He continues to linger in the courtyard today. 

NOW A UNESCO SITE - In 1978 the UNESCO cataloged the new campus of the Hospital de Sant Pau as a World Heritage Site due to its artistic beauty and construction singularity. 

NEXT: Raval's Lucky Cat and Superstition