Una obra de locos

Supposedly those in charge of constructing Seville´s cathedral are quoted as having said, “Let us build a church so beautiful and so great that those who see it built will take us for madmen.”  I´d say they succeeded.  Here are a few of the photos I snapped yesterday; unfortunately the quality isn´t fantastic, but I will undoubtedly return before my time here is up to take some higher resolution pictures.  

Quintessential Seville: the Giralda amidst orange trees.

This shot displays three distinct architectural styles;
the lower part of the tower is what remains of the mosque that once
stood here, the cathedral itself (seen below) is Gothic, and the bell
tower atop the Giralda was slapped on during the Renaissance.  So
many great contradictions going on in this photo.  

Subtlety was not Medieval Christians´strong suit.

Your gaze is inevitably drawn up to the vaulted ceiling.

An extremely necessary three-story altar made entirely of gold.  

Sevilla as seen from atop the Giralda.

Quasimodo would have been happy to call this bell tower home.

This patio was preserved from Seville´s mosque.