The Giralda of Seville, originally the minaret of the Great Mosque
The Giralda is Seville’s unmistakable icon. Today the bell tower of the Catedral, it began as the Almohad minaret of the city’s grand mosque, preserving its powerful silhouette.
Origins of the Tower
The lower two-thirds date from the late 12th century as part of the mosque’s minaret. When the Gothic cathedral was built in the 15th century, this structure and the adjacent Patio de los Naranjos were retained.
Key Features
- Height: 97 m (101 m including the bronze statue “El Giraldillo”).
- Renaissance top: added in the 16th century, crowned by the 4 m “El Giraldillo” symbolizing triumphant faith.
- Construction: Almohad stone masonry with decorative arches and sebka patterns.
- Heritage: National Monument (1928) and UNESCO World Heritage (1987).
Visiting the Giralda
- Access: included with the Cathedral ticket.
- Ascent: 35 broad ramps once used by the muezzin on horseback.
- Views: panoramic vistas of Seville and the Guadalquivir from the belfry terrace.
- Hours: check the official website; limited capacity.
Climb the Giralda and see Seville beneath your feet—an ascent that links Almohad splendor with Christian majesty.
How to get there
Coordinates:
Decimal: 37.386111°, -5.992222°
DMS: 37°23'10" N, 5°59'32" O
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