As every city has own stories and myths, every city has own unique symbols, heroes and legends; Seville has also plenty of these. Among them, Hercules and NoDo symbols were the best representative and the most noticeable of the city that you can see them at the every corner of the city.
At the same time, these symbols were the ones which affected me at most.
Hercules and Isabel
According to legend, Hercules had 12 labors. One of these is to bring the Golden Apples of Hesperides. (Actually to steal them from the garden of Hesperides). For the this tough mission, he had to pass the mountains which were once belonging to Atlas. Instead of climbing the mountains, Hercules preferred to hold from two tips of the mountains and split them into two sides so that the strait of Gibraltar was formed. Those two peaks of the mountains are today Gibraltar and Jbel Musa in Morocco.
These mountains and continents are represented with parallel column today as you can find in ancient Roman and Greek architecture as well as everywhere in Seville.
Another important point about these mountains is to be a reference point for sailors(navigators) so that sailors would know that they should not pass this point.
There is also another myth that Hercules narrowed down the existed strait so that monsters from Ocean couldn’t pass in Mediterranean Sea.
In short, it was accepted for centuries as the border of the life, border of the world. All trade with East was being performed via overland route. For a long time, Silk Road was the only/the most popular way for trade. However, after Byzantine Empire were collapsed and the Ottomans had taken the control of this important trading route, Europe started to look for new alternatives to skip Ottomans. In the end, they discovered the Cape of Storms or with new name the Cape of the Hope. You can imagine how it was and what it brought to European Civilization just by the name.
The new route was used for a long time however, Christopher Columbus and his brother came up with new idea. They thought that if they would sail through West, they could cross the Ocean and reach Asia much faster. This idea was not actually new. Italian astronomer and mathematician Paolo dal Pozzo Toscanelli had offered it already but this request was refused by the the king of Portugal.
Columbus were more dedicated with this idea and kept searching for a sponsor and in the end the Ferdinand II of Aragon and his wife Isabel I of Castile was answered the request with big interest. The doors of the new world was opened.
On the photo you can see the parallel columns which represents the two sides of the straits of Gibraltar that Hercules split. Europe and Africa, Gibraltar and Jebl Musa…
Between the columns, there is the ship that Columbus used to sail to the new world and on the ship, it is written Isabel who sponsored the journey and turned into the goddess of new world.
On the top, there is a lion and under its paw, the world. It symbolizes the power and control over the world that ruled by Isabel.
Seville was the important center of trade and culture in the time of Islamic Dominance in the Iberian Peninsula. Under the Almohad Caliphate, it became a twin capital with Marrakesh and reached a high level of wealth. After the conquest of Christians and following exile of the Jewish and Maghrebs, Seville had a big economical loss but after the discovery of the new world, it became again one the most important center of trade in Europe with high level of wealth in the city.
The chance Isabel gave to Columbus was the important milestone for Seville, Isabel and Europe. The doors of the New World made the city the capital of the world and made Isabel the ruler of the world. It was also the beginning of power shift from East to West.
On the photo, you can see the Isabel I with her lion and as on the last photo, the lion has the earth under its paw. On the other hand of the Isabel, it is also seen that there is shield which means that Isabel I of Castile is the ruler and protector of the new world.
NoDo
Another important symbol of the city is NODO. (means that under the name of the god. Nomini Domini). On the streets, you can see this symbol everywhere but there is one difference. A infinity sign in between. It means that (She never abandoned us or Seville will never abandon you).
There are two different stories about this symbol.
The hero of the first story is the 10.Alfonso of Castile, Leon and Galicia. The man of the letters, words… The intellectual, wise, smart Alfonso.
In his time, he wasn’t found successful regarding ruling, however, he supported the culture, science without any doubt. Therefore, his son Sancho rose up against him and took the most of the land step by step. Although, Sancho had a power to took all control, he didn’t attached his father’s city Seville because his father Alfonso was already old and sick. in his last period of time of his life, Alfonso preferred to spend his time with clergies, nobles of the city and with his people who had a endless support for him. After his death, the city council decided to honor him with the symbol of NO ∞ DO by using a small word game.
When you read the words separately. It is no-knit ball-do(in Spanish, No-madeja-Do). When you read it fast, it is No me ha dejaho which means ‘never left/abandoned’
Another story is about the Ferdinand III father of the Alfonso X who conquered the Seville and swept away all Muslims from the city. This success brought him also a god-like power and it was believed that Virgin Mary was on his side during the war so that they said ‘she never abandoned us’.
In 1926, a big EXPO was organised in Seville to improve Iber-American Relationship and to apologize from native Americans due to the massacre and exploitation of them in the past. In the opening speech of the event, the king of the Spain said:
“I thank to Mayor for his hospitality and lovely welcome. Tell to people of Seville; one Alfonso wrote to shield of Seville ‘never abandoned’ and other Alfonso tells to people of Seville that he will never abandon them.”
Today
Today, Seville is a popular travel spot. The diversity and richness of the culture, kindness and cheer of the people, foods, architecture and events make it a must-see place. As I did, thousands of tourist leave this city with a big admiration.
I came to this city with big expectations and dreams that I have had for years. However, I never thought that the city would give such a great impact on me. Not only my expectation has met but also it amazed me. In spite of my expectations, I am surprised on many senses and Seville took place on the top destinations list of me. When I had to leave the city, I had a small disappointed. It was small because I knew that I will go there again.
While our guide Miguel(Free Walking Tour Sevilla) was telling about the symbol of Seville, he said that Seville will never leave/abandon you. That was true. Seville is one of the most impressive place I have traveled in Europe. It has now its own place both in my heart and mind. She will never abandon me.
