In Osuna (a photo album)

April 7, 2024

Osuna is a largish place, a hill town with a population of 20,000 - almost large enough to feel like a small city. The historical core though is small enough to be easily explorable by foot, with its fair share of interesting monuments. As much as those though, what most impressed me was the street architecture, its narrow stone paved streets walled in by the by now familiar two storied row houses that characterize the towns around Seville, their windows invariably protected by wrought iron grids. There’s an upgrade in quality here though, with the walls an almost blinding white and with many of the places near the center feeling like mansions.

I was also impressed by the public spaces - plazas facing the civic buildings and churches, or secluded spots isolated from the roads tucked away in the center of blocks.

Our hotel, the Duke’s house. There are likely several of these in town, as the Duke of Osuna was a nobility title designated in 1562, with the succession still active. The title currently is held by Ángela María de Solís-Beaumont y Téllez-Girón, the 17th Duchess of Osuna.

Our street, Granada. It took me awhile to realize why that song was running through my head again.

Crowning the hill is the ancient University of Osuna, established in 1549 and ‘suppressed’, whatever that means, in 1820.

Immediately below the university is the University Church, founded at the same time. It’s closed today, but its balcony offers a fine view across the town.

Walking down blindingly white Seville Street, the main route from the university to the Plaza Major.

A side alley off of Seville. Before I took this shot, a car was very slowly inching its way down, bouncing over its series of low risers.

One of the entry portals to the Plaza Major.

The Plaza Major, with the collegiate church on the hill behind. The photographs are enlargements of the town’s Semana Santa pasos.

Another side street off Seville - Cabrillo, I think.

There’s great variety in the iron grids and window screens.

A few of these fine homes were open so you could peek into the interior.

An entryway to Guadalupe Plaza, a small, secluded refuge hidden in the center of a block.

Santo Domingo Plaza, and another look at the church we saw from above earlier.

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Anne MathersLovely shots of the town, Scott. And it looks like the calima is finally dispersing. Thank goodness for that. Hope it’s tailwinds and blue skies for your ride to Seville.
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