At the stroke of midnight on December 31st 1999 I was standing in Plaza Nueva in the centre of the Andalucían city of Seville with thousands of other people, to welcome in the new millennium. So, it was with some nostalgia that I returned for a few days recently, to be reminded of the delights that Seville has to offer – both old and new. I’ll be letting you know all about that in another post coming up soon, but for now, I want to show you the Isabel II bridge, more popularly known as Puente de Triana.
Until 1852, the only way across the Guadalquivir River was by using a makeshift bridge, originally formed in 1171 by chaining 13 boats together between the river banks. In 1847, French engineers Fernando Bernadet and Gustavo Steinacher began work on the Isabel II bridge, linking the Gypsy neighbourhood of Triana with the city centre of Seville.
It’s a pleasant stroll across Triana bridge which has become known for its love-locks, a custom by which padlocks are fixed to a gate, fence or bridge by sweethearts as a symbol of their eternal love. Because of the numbers involved, this practice has now become frowned upon, and the locks are periodically removed.
As you will gather, I took the above photo whilst enjoying an evening cruise along the Rio Guadalquivir. I love the way the lights from the bridge are reflected in the gently flowing water.
I also want to take this opportunity to announce the winner of my recent draw to win 6 handwritten postcards from Spain is …… Sylvia of Another Day in Paradise!
CONGRATULATIONS – I WILL BE SENDING YOUR FIRST POSTCARD VERY SOON 🙂
Related posts:
Black & White Photo Challenge: Bridges
Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgic
East of Málaga 
I was in the Algarve when you posted this one, Marianne, and technology free 🙂
I’m thinking of getting a tablet (dragged kicking and screaming into the next century) but I so like the peaceful life when I’m over there.
Great bridge shot, and yes, I can see the similarities. Love the way your water is twinkling. I really haven’t seen the best of Seville yet, Marianne. We really do need to go and spend a night or two, but Mick is never keen on cities. Thanks for the link 🙂
You’re welcome.
Seville has a lot to offer – even if you’re only there for a couple of nights 🙂
Pingback: Photography and Free Verse: Nostalgia | Bastet and Sekhmet
The reflection in the water is magnificent. I love this photo. Such a beautiful place to be on New Year’s eve.
The black and white showcases the bridge. Mesmerizing ….
Thanks Isadora, it’s very kind of you to say so 🙂
Amazing reflected lights, very well captured… 🙂
Thanks – much appreciated 🙂
The reflected lights make this a stunning shot! Great capture Marianne. How lucky you are to be able to visit Seville so often 🙂
Thanks Madhu – I know how fortunate I am, believe me!
Wonderful photo, and such an important part of Seville’s history, as before this bridge was built, the only way for Trianeros get to the main part of the city was to scramble over the boat-chain you mentioned. And even then, they weren’t always allowed in! Did you know that some Trianeros still claim never to have set foot in the other-side-of-the-river part of Seville? Not sure if I believe them…
I wouldn’t be surprised at that, Fiona. I believe there are many people in the white villages around here who have never left the village! It’s amazing!
I love the way B&W photos impart shiny, fluid, glowing light and highlights patterns and texture 🙂
Yes, that’s exactly right, EllaDee – makes a big difference, doesn’t it?
Such a beautiful photo, Marianne, made even more so knowing your connection with it. Presenting it in B&W was a masterstroke. I love the effect.
We had a wonderful romantic cruise along the Guadalquivir River and than take the cruise that everyone else goes on, we had a private one in a smaller boat – just the two of us!
Thanks for the kind comment, John.
Beautiful image. Black & white for this is a great choice!
Thank you so much, Ruth.
Suuuch a gorgeous photo! I’d love to do that one day, spend the night there and take a cruise on the river at night. Certainly something to keep in mind.
It’s not such a long trip from Malaga, Serena and well worth the trouble 🙂
Lovely photo! Seville is definitely a beautiful place and offers so many photo opportunities!
It certainly does 🙂
Oh how I love this image Marianne…just love it
Thanks Jo 🙂
Pingback: Photography and Poetry: Nostalgia | Bastet and Sekhmet
This photo is just stunning, you have captured to light reflections beautifully. Well done! 😀
It’s very kind of you to say so, Dianne 🙂
Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Nostalgic (Valletta) | What's (in) the picture?
Lovely photo…..Marianne….love Sevilla at night..well for that matter in the daytime as well!
Me too, Paddy …. and Cordoba, Granada, Valenia, Barcelona, Madrid …… just love Spain!!
Thanks for your comment – much appreciated.
What a beautiful bridge indeed Marianne! Love the reflections on the water! Great shot and thanks so much for sharing hon. 😀 *big hugs*
Thanks Sophia for going with my suggestion for this week’s B&W theme – I love bridges 🙂
You are very welcome hon. Same here. 😀 *hugs*
Beautiful bridge photo, Marianne, and it looks great in B&W. Seville is such a lovely city. I’m really excited to be the lucky winner of your postcard competition. Thank you so much. 🙂
You’re welcome AD 🙂
I agree – Seville is very special.
Congratulations Sweetheart 🙂
Thanks, Paula.
Gorgeous black and white photo of this beautiful bridge! Love the reflections!
That bridge is beautiful, Marianne, and I, too, love the reflections in the river! I’ll be seeing it, I hope the day after tomorrow. I’m staying in a small village called Mollina, and tomorrow we’re heading to Ronda. Monday, we’re going to Seville. Am looking forward to meeting you on the 12th! I’ll try to use our guide’s phone to give you a call on Friday from Granada.
You’ll have such fun this week, Cathy – albeit it only a snapshot. I’ve stayed in the Parador on the edge of the gorge in Ronda. It is an amazing place. You’ll love Seville, Cordoba and Granada – and in fact, that classical tour of Andalicia is exactly what I was doing at the end of 1999 into the year 2000 🙂
See you on Friday – can’t wait!
Hi Marianne, I was just now able to open my notifications; I’ve been having trouble for some reason. Yesterday we went to Ronda and I loved it! It was so beautiful and laid back! I wish I had read this before I went; I would have looked into the Parador. Today we’re heading to Seville. I guess the temperature is supposed to be 40 degrees there! Ouch….it sounds a little too much like Oman! But I’m really excited. So far, I’m loving the south of Spain. I think I could stay here forever. 🙂
So you conducted tours like this one, the classical tour, yourself? That sounds like fun. This is a very laid back tour; it’s just my style really. The guide is very knowledgeable and amiable, a British guy, and he shows us the important things, gets us a map and lets us just wander at our own pace. That’s just the kind of thing I like, and I don’t have to worry about accommodation, logistics or anything. Logistics are the biggest challenge in travel, and the most anxiety-producing.
I too look forward to meeting you on Friday! 🙂
Beautiful picture in black and white – it is very impressive!
Thank you, Meg.
What a lovely pic! We have the same padlock phenomenon on Parisian bridges; maybe it has something to do with the French engineers leaving a whiff of romance in their work? At midnight the same day, yours truly was inelegantly positioned behind a hedge in St Augustine, Florida, in a desperate attempt to solve the problem of an in-utero Rugby-boy kicking me enthusiatically in the bladder. Those were the days 🙂
OH I’m sure the lovelock phenomenon is world-wide. I saw them attached to Sydney Harbour Bridge earlier this year!
I think I had a more comfortable start to the new millennium than you, then 😉
You came to Sevilla and didn’t call to meet up for a tapita??
I came with my hubby and some friends, for a couple of nights, with a very specific agenda in mind.
Don’t worry, I’ll be back!
Thank you Angelina 🙂
I LOVE bridges and your black and white image is beautiful. Thanks for introducing me to the Puente de Triana!!