The Guadalquivir River is the river of Seville, the only navigable river in Spain. A river that has played a leading role in many moments of the city’s history. Sieges, defenses and conquests have been fought between its waters, and also feats and crossings have been forged from its banks.
Did you know that the First Around the World started from Seville? In 1519 Fernando de Magellan set sail with his ships to Sanlucar de Barrameda and from there to the open sea undertook the circumnavigation of the Earth. Crossing the Bridge of San Telmo you can see the armillary sphere that commemorates the zero mile of this journey.
Seville in the 16th century was the mercantile center of the western world, and its river was the main maritime route for Atlantic traffic for more than 200 years. Many street names referring to trades and origins (Alemanes, Placentines, Francos; Odreros, Toneleros, Cerrajeros…) come from that period. Seville was known as ‘The city where the heart of the world beats’, the maritime activity impregnated the commerce, the population, the culture and the urban physiognomy itself, giving it a unique character.
The Torre del Oro, one of the emblematic monuments of Seville, also has a history linked to the river. It is a defensive tower located on the left bank of the Guadalquivir of Arab origin. Tradition has it that a thick chain over the river linked it to another tower located on the other side of the river, thus preventing the passage of enemy ships.
The character of the Guadalquivir has prevailed until today. Today, it is a river that is enjoyed as few in the world, which is walked as if it were a monumental street, probably the most important street of Seville.
You can also enjoy the river practicing sports, especially rowing and canoeing. In fact, the Guadalquivir is a channel that has hosted international competitions of the highest level.
More and more visitors come to Seville through the Guadalquivir. You have the opportunity to be one of them, arriving aboard a cruise at the Muelle de las Delicias, at the very gateway to the historic center of the city.
The Espacio Primera Vuelta al Mundo, located in an emblematic place, on the banks of the Guadalquivir, next to the Torre del Oro, is a reference center to learn about the greatest maritime feat that took place in the city and its river: the First Around the World (1519- 1522). In its interpretation center visitors discover the keys to this first circumnavigation of the planet, and culminate the experience by climbing aboard the ship that starred in this admirable voyage: the Nao Victoria 500, an imposing life-size replica of this legendary vessel.
Visitors discover the keys to the greatest maritime feat in history, of the captains Magellan and El Cano, narrated through the voice of its protagonist ship: the Nao Victoria. It is the nao itself that guides from its own birth and construction until it became a ship of legend, through the preparations for the expedition, the immensity of the journey it made, the events they experienced, the dangers they faced and the harshness of life on board. An experience for the senses through the sensations and experiences of the ships themselves and their sailors protagonists, to bring us closer to know the true dimension and scope of the achievements of this incredible adventure.
Come and learn the secrets of the First Around the World through the Interpretation Center and the replica of the protagonist ship of the feat, the Nao Victoria 500.
Tickets from 3€.
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The Romans called it the Betis river, giving name also to the Betica.
The Guadalquivircrosses all of Andalusia, with a total length of 657 kilometers.
Being on the other side of the river contributed to the singular character of Triana.
