🇪🇸 Seville: The Baroque church of the unexpected

⛪ Iglesia del Salvador: Seville’s Baroque Surprise—Where Mosques, Romans, and Gold Collide We stumbled here by accident, lured by a combo ticket that promised skip-the-line access. But Iglesia del Salvador (Church of the Savior) turned out to be more than a shortcut—it’s a layered masterpiece, where 2,000 years of history (mosques, Roman ruins, Baroque excess) collide in a single, golden space. ✨ First Impressions: A Blaze of “Gold” Step inside, and your eyes will lock on it: walls and ceilings covered in what looks like gold. Spoiler: It’s wood, carved and gilded to dazzling effect—no (prying) allowed, sadly. This Baroque opulence is intentional: after centuries of war and rebuilding, the church was redesigned to awe, with swirling patterns, marble columns, and light that dances off every surface. 🏛️ A History Lesson in Stone The sign out front tells a wild tale: Ancient Roots: Long before it was a church, this spot held a mosque—remnants of Seville’s Moorish past (when Al-Andalus ruled the south). Christian Rebirth: After King Ferdinand III reconquered Andalusia, the mosque was converted to a church. But wars and fires took their toll, leading to rebuilds that blended Islamic architectural echoes (arches, courtyards) with Christian grandeur. Roman Secrets: Head to the basement, and you’ll find it: Roman ruins, eerily similar to those in Britain. mosaic fragments, stone walls, and pottery shards—proof that even 2,000 years ago, this was a busy, important place. 💡 Why It Stuns It’s not just a church—it’s a timeline. Stand in the golden nave, and you’re surrounded by Baroque drama. Descend to the basement, and you’re touching Rome. Pause by the courtyard, and you might spot hints of its mosque days. It’s a physical reminder of Europe’s tangled past: cultures overlapping, eras stacking, and history living in every brick. Iglesia del Salvador is the best kind of travel surprise: unplanned, rich, and full of “wait, that’s old” moments. If you’re in Seville, let it sneak up on you—you won’t regret it. #SevilleHistory #BaroqueGems #HiddenChurches #SpainTravel