La Torre del Oro – Once the Golden Tower of Seville:
La Torre del Oro, Seville
La Torre del Oro or the Golden Tower was given its name because it was originally covered in golden tiles. But even without its gold covering, this 13th century Moorish watchtower by the banks of the Guadalquivir River is still a magnificent landmark.
La Torre del Oro dates from the year 1220 and was once part of the city fortification. With its gold tiles, it must have been an impressive sight.
A Prison and Gold Storage
During the Middle Ages, Torre del Oro was used as a prison and later the tower became a storage depot for gold and other precious metals that were brought back by the Spanish treasure fleets.
The tower is made up of three levels with the top circular section being added in 1760.
At one stage, the tower came under threat, but not from invading forces – road widening threatened the demolition of the tower. There was also an attempt in 1868 to put it up for sale as scrap, but thanks to the strong opposition from the locals the tower survived.
La Torre del Oro was eventually restored and today, this riverfront landmark appropriately houses a small Naval Museum containing models, navigation charts, compasses and ancient documents that showcase Seville’s maritime history.
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Friday – From 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Weekends – From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Address:
Paseo de Cristóbal Colón s/n
41001 Sevilla
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