The Plaza de Espana was designed by Aníbal González and built in 1929 when Seville hosted the Spanish-American Exhibition. The building near the Parque Maria Luisa originally showcased Spain's industry and technology exhibits.
The Plaza is a huge semi-circle with buildings accessible over the moat by beautiful bridges. In the centre is a large fountain. Due to Spain's recent drought, the moat is currently dry.
The Plaza was used in the second episode of Star Wars Attack of the Clones when the young Anakn and Pademeyou walk over the tiled bridge (pictured above) and along the corridors of the plaza's buildings. The plaza was also used as the "Cairo Great Britain Army Headquarters" for the David Lean film Lawrence of Arabia.
Today the Plaza de Espana houses Andalucian government offices, as well as an impressive Museo Militar (Military Museum) for the Region Militar Sud.
Wow, those pictures are just gorgeous! I so wish I get to see the Plaza de Espana for real some day. Thanks, Tara, you have got me real excited about visiting Spain!
Posted by: Lotus | 26 October 2006 at 03:15
What amazing majesty!
Posted by: giggles | 25 October 2006 at 21:44
I haven't been to Spain in 30 years or so. Your photos make me think I better start planning a trip. I remember loving Seville.
Posted by: Linda | 25 October 2006 at 19:07
Amazing and wonderful! Great photos, Tara.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 25 October 2006 at 18:22
Ah I can smell the orange blossoms of Sevilla, I love it there!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 25 October 2006 at 12:06
All that blue! In a word - Gorgeous.
Posted by: annieelfAnn | 25 October 2006 at 08:42
Big ole fat WOW!
Posted by: Tammy | 25 October 2006 at 01:22
Such beautiful buildings! It really is better than the "Travel Channel!"
Posted by: Chelle Y. | 24 October 2006 at 23:15
Tara,
What splendor and history past and recent. To me this is Unbelievingly pulchritudinous.
rel
Posted by: rel | 24 October 2006 at 19:01
what beautiful amazing photos!!!
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 24 October 2006 at 18:42
Thank you Tara! Better than The Travel Channel!
I love those tiles. Those are just so pretty. And how fun to know I can look and see it in those movies!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 24 October 2006 at 18:10
Beautiful pics, Tara! And my husband loved the Star Wars trivia (he's a total geek!)
Posted by: Deborah | 24 October 2006 at 16:46
Hola Tara,
All those tiles, in the photos above and below, are so beautiful.
Posted by: meredith | 24 October 2006 at 13:12