Seville Cathedral

It’s unbelievably beautiful, and 17 years later I remember my time in the cathedral well.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) in Seville is magnificent, but don’t go to the Cathedral to see it—it’s way to crowded. Pick up a guide with a map and choose the smallest street you can find.

People in the streets are enjoying their beers and their company until the paso (religious statue portraying one of the 12 stations of the cross) comes down the corner. A hush falls over the crowd and nothing at that moment is louder or more important than the music and the paso as it dances six feet above the street.

Semana Santa is a festival of all five senses. The sound of the band, the sight of the paso dancing, the smell of incense, the taste of Semana Santa confections, the touch of the paso as it passes within inches of your reach. Pay attention to all of this.