Seville has one of the most privileged eminences in the city, the Giralda of Seville, which represents a real jewel. It is considered one of the largest known Arab monuments. The majesty of its silhouette has inspired several works of art.
You don’t need to have visited La Giralda de Sevilla to recognize it. If you’re visiting Seville, it’s a place you can’t miss, to contemplate its inner and outer beauty. It adds shine and beauty to the cathedral, as it is part of it. In addition, its striking bell tower is one of the most beautiful on the planet.
History of the Giralda of Seville
The Almohade Tower was inaugurated in 1182, which was inspired by the previous towers of Marrakech and Rabat, and is still preserved today.
The Giralda of Seville has an undeniable Arab touch, it has an external decoration in the tower with the particular work of sebka or in rhombuses (decorative motif of Muslim lacery), and forming rhomboidal shapes which seem inspired by the shape of mountains or textile motifs.
When the Christian liberation came, another architectural building would be added during the 16th century. Specifically its beautiful Belfry and complemented with the wonderful sculpture as a symbol of the conquest of the faith, it is now called the Giraldillo.
It acts as a weather vane according to the direction of the wind, its grandiose sculpture with a height of 4 meters, which is built in bronze, at that time, was considered the highest in Europe. The Giralda of Seville has simple ornaments inside. By means of ramps you can climb up to the bell tower area, the design has enough space for a horse.
The ramp was made this way in The Giralda of Seville to make it easier for the magnet to come to the top. It is an unique historical monument in the world; in the Giralda tower of Seville you can admire Arab, Christian and Roman details.
It has been given the name Giralda because there is a jar at the top where the Giraldillo stands. It was used as a way to symbolize the success of Christianity among Muslims.
Who built it?
This minaret in perfect Almohade style was erected in Seville by the Moors. The Giralda of Seville is a monument that has no comparison.
Building date
The Giralda of Seville was built to a height of 76 meters between 1184 and 1197. After the reconquest in 1586, the Belfry was added; whose height is about 100 meters.
Function in the past
The Giralda was originally conceived in the Almohade style in Seville as the beacon tower of the main mosque.
Architectural features of the Giralda of Seville
Its architecture is original; its perfect quadrangular shapes stand out, decorated by pinnacles and small turrets. It has become a real inspiration for different towers in Russia, America, Poland, etc. There are replicas of La Giralda in Kansas City, New York and Badajoz Province.
Height of the Giralda of Seville
The height of the Giralda of Seville is 97.5 m, including the famous Giraldillo 101 m.
Visit to the Giralda of Seville
Considered a World Heritage Site, the Giralda of Seville is included in the visit to the Cathedral. For this reason, the fares and timetables are the same.
Timetables and prices
The timetable on Mondays is from 11:00h to 15:30h, from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00h to 17:00h and on Sundays from 14:30h to 18:00h.
It is closed on 25th of December, 01st of January and 06th of January. There is a reduced timetable on the 05th of January, 24th and 31st of December from 11:00h to 13:00h.
From 16:30h to 18:00h the timetable is free of charge.
Among the fees for the visit to the sacristies, the Gothic Cathedral, the Treasure, the Church of El Salvador, the Patio de los Naranjos, the Renaissance chapterhouse, are included in the entrance to La Giralda.
The general admission fee is 9 €. For students under 25 and pensioners the entrance fee is 4 €. For residents of the headquarters in Seville, children up to 14 years old with an adult, the unemployed and people with disabilities over 65% of the population, admission to La Giralda is free.
If you wish you can book your ticket on the official website, you can also take an entertaining guided tour by planning your visit in advance online.
