MONUMENTS, UNIQUE PLACES, ATTRACTIONS

More than 800 years contemplating Seville

…And all that time being admired. The Giralda is an icon that identifies Seville almost automatically in the world. A monument with a unique force of attraction and beauty.

Symbiosis of styles

La Girada summarizes to the thousand marvels many centuries of history on its own physiognomy. The confluence of the different architectural styles that characterize it is a reflection of the cultures that inhabited Seville. The result, eclectic and unique, fascinates any traveler.

The first section of the Giralda is of Almohad style. The architects Ibn Basso and Alí de Gomara were the architects of this minaret built for the great mosque of the city. An earthquake in 1356 caused the fall of the four bronze spheres that crowned the tower.

The belfry is of Renaissance style, and was designed by Hernán Ruiz in the 16th century. At its peak, 104 meters high, you can guess a very special weather vane: the Giraldillo, another symbol of Seville.

The silhouette of Seville

The profile of the largest historic center of Spain has in the Giralda its absolute protagonist. Even the dozens of towers and spires scattered throughout the center of Seville seem to respectfully greet their reference point, the Giralda.

The Giralda was red

Recently it has been discovered that the Giralda did not show the brick as we see it today, but was coated in red. At least it is known that this was the case in Almohad and Renaissance times.

Paintings and engravings from centuries ago attest to the polychrome character of the Giralda. And even more, we return to look with different eyes some works where it seems to guess the surprising tonality of the tower.

This is the case, for example, of the famous painting Santas Justa and Rufina, painted by Murillo in 1666 and that you can admire in the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla. Doesn’t the Giralda look reddish in this painting?

To keep in mind

01_

The Giralda has 24 bells (plus 1 upper bell). Its ringing on important occasions is simply spectacular.

02_

The Giraldillo comes from the name of the «Giralda», whose meaning is «weathervane of a tower with a human or animal figure».

03_