Écija
Situated in between the cities of Córdoba en Sevilla, with close to 40.000 inhabitants, Écija is quite smaller and I guess a lesser known place to visit in Andalucía for tourists. How lucky I felt when I was invited to come to Antequera for my work ànd was able to add some more days to my visit to the south of Spain. I took my chances. Leaving Antequera, Écija, just over an hour drive, was the first place to check out.
View on Écija from the Palacio de los Marqueses de Peñaflor.
Kurt Hielscher published two photos he made over a hundred years ago from the beautiful Palacio de los Marqueses de Peñaflor, a very nice palace in itself, but also with stunning views on the city of Écija. Écija turned out a pleasant surprise. Despite being listed as a National Monument, the between 1700 and 1775 AD built Palace was subject of an attempt to be converted into a hotel. For a while it had been left untouched, causing it to decay, but today it is really worth to bring a visit. And that counts for the rest of the city center.
Kurt Hielscher's first photo is about the Painting of "Our Lady of the Rosary", "Ntra. Sra. del Rosario" that decorates the stairs of the Peñaflor Palace by Fray Antonio de Molina and plasterwork by Cristóbal Portillo, 1767.
When I tried to rephotograph this photo from Kurt Hielscher, I nearly broke my neck, because of the strange angle from which it is taken. I had to squeeze my head on my shoulder to a door that was probably open when Kurt Hielscher took his one.
Photo: Kurt Hielscher, 1914-'19.
Photo: Casper Molenaar, 20th of June 2019.
During my quick visit, it felt like I plunged into a real gem. Let the photos here be seen as an ode to the city of Écija. Every step I took, I felt happier, and opened my heart to another world.
The only thing is that, unfortunately, the main courtyard was not accessible due to restorations when I was there. Closer than this plate next to the entrancedoor I could not come, not even after some begging. On the photos below you can have a glimpse of the Patio Principal and see that indeed reconstruction works were ongoing.
Patio Principal in the Palacio de los Marqueses de Peñaflor. Photo: Kurt Hielscher, 1914-'19.
Not the Patio Principal but some other lace in the Palacio de los Marqueses de Peñaflor with maybe the same kind of look and feel? Photo: Casper Molenaar, 20th of June 2019.
Another view on Écija and surroundings.
Leaving Écija I moved on to Carmona, Alcala de Guadaíra and, of course Sevilla.
Below: View on Ëcija from one of the towers of the Palacio de los Marqueses de Peñaflor.
