Singing at the Seville Cathedral

Singer Supporters: Kevin, Doug, and Mike

We had seen quite a lot of Seville but not the splendid cathedral where we had intentions to sing.  Tim had reminded us to wear our pastel polo shirts for our impromptu presentation and everyone except the singing supporters was in uniform ready to visit the Cathedral of Saint Mary.

As we walked toward the Cathedral, we saw the Giralda tower that was the only part of the mosque that was left after an earthquake devastated the building.  The Giralda was once a minaret that was converted into a bell tower.

The Giralda Tower

Arriving at the Cathedral, Ed needed to search for our tickets that were stashed in Sharon's fanny pack for safe keeping.  We also had to make sure we went through security as no one was taking any chances that artifact would be damaged by a bomb.  Surprisingly, we were allowed to take pictures inside which made us very pleased.  Soon all fifty-two of us entered the huge Cathedral.

In 1248 Seville had become a great trading center and to demonstrate its wealth it was proposed to build a new temple in the place where the old mosque had been.  It was said that they aspired to "... build a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it built will think we were mad." Construction began in 1402 and continued until 1506.  It was also written that church workers gave half their salaries to pay for architects, builders, and other expenses. Can you imagine it took 100 years to built it, and the builders were expected to give up part of their salaries.  That is real dedication and maybe they got credit for Indulgencies which would give them a free card out of purgatory!

The church is the third largest in the world, more than a football field in length and at least a football field in width!  The height is 42 meters or about half the length of a football field if you stood it on its end.  Football fields I know. I had done cheerleading in my senior year at Palo Alto High School.

The one on the end!

The great building has 80 separate chapels, and it was reported that in in 1896, 500 masses were heard in one day! That's a lot of holiness floating around.  The Gothic structure was made of freestone brought in from Cadiz and Portugal.  The craftsmen were a mix of Castilian, French, Flemish, and German.  Sixty pillars support the central nave.  The stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments were installed in the 1500's and are the richest collection in Europe.

Pictures tell the stories!

The altars also tell the stories for people not able to read.

The organ is still functional!

Gold sparkled everywhere!

Tomb of Columbus

It was all too much for us to take in at one time, and most of us wandered around wide eyed and jaw dropping to our navels.

Classic Gothic style ceilings with amazing pillars to hold up the copula.

Beautiful altars commemorating the saints.

We finally all gathered in a circle front of the tomb of Christopher Columbus.  Tim took his position in the center and we began singing, "Jubilate Deo."

Tim conducting the Jubilate Deo

 Ed looked around for any guards that may want to come and spoil our fun.  Tim looked a little nervous as he directed "All My Trials, Lord,"  and Ed sped off to speak to the approaching guard.  He told him something that made him rush away, then came and told us we had time for only one more song.

Tim is anxious to finish without a problem.

We sang "Secure" feeling very insecure thinking we would be arrested by the security guards, but luckily we finished the song, and got a great applause from the people that gathered to hear us.  Then we dispersed in every direction as the security guards rounded the corner to the chapel.   It reminded me of the FLASH DANCE that begins out of nowhere and as soon as it is over.. POOF ..its over and everyone melts into the crowd and disappears!  Later Ed mentioned to us what he had told the guard.  He said that he had permission from Bishop Nevins who got special permission to the bishop in charge of the church.  This sent the guard to check it out and by the time he came back, we were done.  How much fun is that...to sing in one of the largest Cathedrals in Spain!

We came, we saw,  we conquered and it felt GREAT!