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Off to Carmona from Cadiz and before we knew it google maps had us there with no dramas. We could see the raised white town from miles away across the flat landscape that was covered in sunflower and grain fields. This is the real plains of Spain that seem to go on forever.
The Parador was easily accessed through the Cordoba gate at the east end of town up through the cobbled streets to the old Alcázar on the prominent high position overlooking the endless plains. We drove through the big Porto and into the open plaza and the Parador blends in perfectly with the ruins of the Alcázar although it is less than 100 years old.
Our room was smallish but fine and through the small window we had great views of the fields below. John went for a swim in the pool down below the parador while Ann had a sleep and after a rest we headed into town to have a look around having booked dinner in-house for 8pm.
It was fairly warm and finding the shady side of the street was critical as we wound our way past churches and palacio’s in various states of repair until we reached the town square. Although the square was effectively square the centre was round and full of kids playing in the early evening kicking balls and chasing each other whilst been told off by the towns matrons. The cafe’s and bars were full of mainly locals having a drink and a chat before their evening meal which will not be until around 9pm as lunch is the main meal of the day.
We continued our way through the winding streets and got back just in time for our booking. The parador is beautifully put together with a stunning Moorish porticoed courtyard, massive vaulted ceiling dinning rooms and elaborately decorated guest sitting rooms where we were able to watch the exciting World Cup Spain v Portugal game.
We had decided to explore Carmona in more detail the next day so headed off after breakfast to see what we could see and started down at the Cordoba gate before heading right across town through narrow lanes and Palacio lined streets till we reached the Sevilla gate and the main Alcázar fortifications.
Here we witnessed some local school children on a history excursion acting out a Roman conquest of the town which was a lot of fun with plenty of noise.
John explored the Fortress Castello in detail before we both continued our walk of discovery through the southern side of town to a small cafe bar where we got fed their daily special lunch which was not very special. We have had far more exceptional meals than duds so you have to accept the good with the bad.
We had read about some amazing Roman mosaics that has been restored at the town hall and yes they were extraordinary along with some stunning regional painting hanging in the public gallery so well worth the visit.
We had booked dinner at the #1trip advisor restaurant in Carmona “La Yedra” that night which was just 200m from the Parador and it was brilliant, up there with the best in our view with a lovely courtyard setting and creative menu.
On the way back to the Parador we experienced a sensational sunset and the light on the stone walls was spectacular but it was the view through the trees and town skyline that was the best part.
The next morning we went to the Theatre Romana and burial ground which was fascinating at it is where the infamous Sevilla is buried in am massive tomb. She was Julius Ceasar’s lover and Brutus’s mother so a very conflicted woman.
We ventured into Sevilla for one night and had an easy drive back to Carmona and a rest followed by a wander for John back into town to visit the Museo and Santa Maria church.
The Museo revealed some fantastic sociological finds and some stunning paintings of old Carmona.
we then settled in for a quiet night at the parador and a nice tapas dinner on the terrace.
