It’s a mountainous area on the water, but where is it? And what’s that building on the tall mountain across the way. Try to figure it out, then send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com. Be sure to list your hometown.
Allan Peel, San Antonio, Texas recognized the recent mystery photo. “It’s T of the Catedral de Santa María de la Sede, more commonly referred to as the Seville Cathedral, located in the heart of Seville, Spain. My wife and I actually saw this majestic site in person, back in June 1978 when we spent three weeks road tripping in the southwestern part of Spain on our honeymoon!
“The Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Its history is fascinating as it is a historical example of the structural transition from Islamic to Christian architecture. Before the cathedral existed, the site was occupied by the Almohad Mosque, completed in 1198. When the Christians conquered Seville in 1248, they “consecrated” the mosque as a cathedral rather than tearing it down immediately. But by 1401, the mosque was in serious disrepair, and the cathedral’s chapter decided to build a new, massive church, one that would inspire people to transition to Christianity. It took over a century to complete (1402–1506), but because it was built on the rectangular footprint of the original mosque, it lacks the typical “cross” shape of most Gothic cathedrals, resulting in its massive, boxy volume.
“The cathedral houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. For a long time, the Dominican Republic claimed that they had his real remains. However, DNA testing in 2006, and again in 2024, confirmed for certain that the remains in Seville are indeed those of the explorer. Ironically, Columbus traveled almost as much after death as he did in life, moving from tombs between Valladolid and Seville in Spain, then to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, then to Havana, Cuba, and finally back to Seville. Once again, Columbus proved that the world really is round … even after his death!!”
Also recognizing the photo were George Graf, Palmyra, Va.; and Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C. The photo came from Sharon LeMaster of Decatur via Susan McBrayer of Sugar Hill.
- Share a Mystery Photo: If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!) Click here to send an email and please mark it as a photo submission. Thanks.
