Sevillian Surprises.

The huge bed at the Hotel Don Paco engulfed us until the late hours of the morning, and so it was a lazy start to our full day in Seville.

When we finally dragged ourselves away from the comforts of the hotel, we headed to the South of the city, towards the iconic Cathedral.

On our way, we snaked through small streets and pathways, ducking in and out of the old buildings and quaint shops that fill Seville.

And that was how we came to find the Museo Palacio de la Condesa de Lebrija.

Nestled in a side street, surrounded by stores selling traditional Flamenco dresses, the Palacio could easily be missed, despite it's beautiful balcony and columns, if it was not for the large open doors and the incredible array of colourful tiles in the entrance way. We didn't know what it was, nor had anything like it been mentioned on the city maps or in the guidebooks, but we dove inside, thankful for the cool shade it provided.


Once inside (a normal ticket of around €6 will get you in downstairs, while the more expensive ticket will let you see the upstairs of the Palacio as well) we were amazed.

Roman mosaics line the floors, while artefacts of the era fill the glass cabinets the are pressed against each wall. Moorish furniture and tiles from Triana bring colour and excitement to the rooms, and are contrasted beautifully with the ancient statues that are dotted everywhere.

A bit of reading taught us that this was the former home of Regla Manjon Mergelina, the Countess of Lebrija.

The building itself was constructed in the 15th Century, though the traditional Andalucian facade was added in the 16th. It was always considered one of the finest residences in all of Seville, and was lived in by many noblemen and women throughout the years.

However, in 1901, the Condesa, a woman with a huge passion for archaeology and all things Roman, bought the property and decided to renovate the interior, filling it with her finds that she had discovered on digs.

And as a result, the Palace is an amalgamation of historic artefacts, and eclectic colours, unlike anything else you have ever seen.

I could have stayed inside the palace all day, exploring every artefact and enjoying the unexpected tranquil in the centre of the busy city, but the day was getting on, and cold beers were in order, so we headed off, back en route to the Cathedral and the rest of the city.