Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonSeville, Andalucia, Spain
"I need to find out where this place is!" is the only thing I kept thinking after watching Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones in 2002. The movie itself, so-so, but the short 48-second scene with Padmé and young Anakin (and a digitized R2-D2 following them) walking through this beautiful 'city' completely mesmerized me.
The location: Plaza de España in Sevilla that served as the city of Theed on the planet Naboo in the movie. 14 years after (holy shit, I feel old!) obsessing about it in the movie, I finally got to see the place for myself.
PLAZA DE ESPAÑA ~ SEVILLA
So the Plaza is not a very popular tourist spot – it's basically government buildings, so you can't really go inside, but just walk around the grounds. Which is fine with me. The Plaza is just southeast of the Universidad de Sevilla and right in between the Maria Luisa Park and the Guadalquivir River. I knew the place looked gorgeous in the movie, but seeing it in person, I was shocked to find how stunningly beautiful it actually is.
I won't write much more about it, enjoy the photos, or even better, try to get to Sevilla yourself – it's bloody beautiful, and worth the visit, especially for Star Wars fans.
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonTorre Sur Plaza de España
Torre Sur Plaza de España
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonTorre Sur Plaza de España
Torre Sur Plaza de España
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonA massive semicircular structure in the middle of Sevilla
A massive semicircular structure in the middle of Sevilla
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonThe grandness of this place...!
The grandness of this place...!
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonBeautifully painted railings
Beautifully painted railings
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonThe middle child, chillin' in front of Plaza de España
The middle child, chillin' in front of Plaza de España
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonCentral building and fountain at → Plaza de España
Central building and fountain at → Plaza de España
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonDetailed stone work all over the ground
Detailed stone work all over the ground
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer Mahon Thousands of azulejos - painted ceramic tiles
Thousands of azulejos - painted ceramic tiles
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonStanding on one of the four bridges crossing over the canal
Standing on one of the four bridges crossing over the canal
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonTorre Norte → Plaza de España
Torre Norte → Plaza de España
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonA few of the 48 tiled alcoves/benches – each representing a region of Spain and telling its history
A few of the 48 tiled alcoves/benches – each representing a region of Spain and telling its history
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonSun shining on the ground-floor verandah
Sun shining on the ground-floor verandah (you'll probably also recognize this spot from Star Wars)
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonTime to check out the second floor
Time to check out the second floor
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonDecorative, detailed tiling everywhere
Decorative, detailed tiling everywhere
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonEven more gorgeous from up here
Even more gorgeous from up here
Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonLove how the bricks seem like they're glowing when the sun hits them
Love how the bricks seem like they're glowing when the sun hits them
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonThis place! I can't get enough of it! Seville, Andalucia, Spain
This place! I can't get enough of it!
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonI mean, look how much work has gone into these railings
I mean, look how much work has gone into these railings
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonSomeone is photo-bombing me
Someone is photo-bombing me
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonBeautiful
Beautiful
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonI'm completely mesmerized by this place
I'm completely mesmerized by this place
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonAmazed at all the details on all the columns and railings
Amazed at all the details on all the columns and railings
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonWalking through Maria Luisa Park (Parque de María Luisa)
Walking through Maria Luisa Park (Parque de María Luisa)
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonAnd making friends along the way
And making friends along the way
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonBeautiful gardens - though it's winter here, so I'm sure even prettier in the spring and summer
Beautiful gardens - though it's winter here, so I'm sure even prettier in the spring and summer
Seville, Andalucia, Spain -Travel Keeps Me Sane - Jennifer MahonThat's it for Seville, time to hop in the car and head to Cordoba
That's it for Seville, time to hop in the car and head to Cordoba
Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON
LIKE THIS? YOU MIGHT WANNA CHECK THESE OUT: