The Giralda Tower is the symbol of Seville

The Giralda tower is one of the highlights of Seville and one of its most representative buildings. It is the most visited monument of the city along with the Cathedral and you should definitely not miss it.

The importance of the Giralda is justified because it is the bell tower of one of the largest churches in the world (the Cathedral of Seville is the 3rd biggest one in the world) and also, because it is one of the finest examples of the cultural blend that defines Spain.

 

General information

Website: Cathedral of Seville & Giralda tower (only in Spanish)

Address: Plaza Virgen de los Reyes

Entrance: (It allows you to enter both the Cathedral and the Giralda)

General ticket: 8 €

Reduced ticket (Seniors and Students under 26): 3 €

Free (Born or residing in Sevilla, Children under 16 accompanied by an adult, Disabled and an escort, Unemployed)

Free admission to the Seville Cathedral is included with the Sevilla Card

Opening hours:

Winter (September to June):

Mondays 11:00 to 15:30; Tuesdays to Saturdays 11:00 to 17:00; Sundays 14:30 to 18:30

Summer (July & August):

Mondays 9:30 to 14:30; Tuesdays to Saturdays 9:30 to 16:30; Sundays 14:30 to 18:30

 

To purchase a reduced ticket or have the right to enter free, you must have with you an official document proving your status. Don’t forget it at home or you accommodation…

By the way, the opening hours can be modified due to religious ceremonies and other cultural activities. Make sure you check the Cathedral calendar to confirm visits are allowed.

 

Origins of the Giralda Tower

The Arab invasion lasted for almost eight centuries until in 1492 the Catholic Kings expelled the Arabs. During that time, Moorish Iberia (Spain and Portugal today) was called Al-Andalus. Moreover, Seville was designated as the capital during the Almohad period (1121-1269) and it was decided that a great mosque had to be founded.

The Giralda tower is probably the most ancient building of Seville. It was built between 1184 and 1198 to be the minaret of this great mosque. Its design is based on the minaret of the Koutoubia, the most important mosque of Morocco, located in Marrakech.

Originally, the minaret had a copper sphere on top of it. It disappeared after a strong earthquake in 1365.

At present, the main body of the tower is the minaret itself and it is a fine example of the Arab architecture of the time. You’ll notice in other monuments that this style has been both a symbol and an inspiration of constructions all over Seville (e.g. the Torre del Oro or the Alcázar).

 

Guided tours of the Seville Giralda (and Cathedral)

One of the best ways to get to know the history of Seville is by booking a 3-hour guided tour of the Cathedral that includes also the Giralda.

Additionally, you’ll also visit the famous Alcázar, an old Moorish fortress. Finally, you’ll end your visit with a relaxed stroll around the Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville’s historical Jewish quarter.

Your guide will make you step back in time while showing you the best masterpieces of this magnificent building, as weel as its gorgeous tower. She will also give you lots insights into the Spanish culture and other picturesque landmarks. You won’t regret booking this tour!

Book Your Private Monumental Seville Walking Tour »

 

Additions to the original building

When the Arabs left, the mosque was transformed in a church, the Giralda became its bell tower and the Christians placed a cross and a bell on top of it. During the 16th century, a Renaissance section was added to include more bells.

In 1568, the architect Hernán Ruíz was commissioned by the city hall to design a statue that would represent the Christian Faith. The statue stands 4 m (13 ft) in height and it is still there today.

Almost at the tip of the tower, you can read the following words “TURRIS FORTISSIMA NOMEN DNI PROVERB. 18” which means “The name of the Lord is a strong tower” in Latin and it is a proverb of the Bible (proverbs, 18:10).

This section of the tower also contains a large inscription of Seville’s motto, NO8DO. Alfonso X of Castile gave the motto to the city when it continued to support his rule while his son was trying to usurp him the throne (1282).

 

Curiosities about the Giralda Tower

  • The word Giralda comes from the Spanish verb girar (to turn) and it means “tower weather vane with and animal or human shape”. Over time, this word was adopted to name the whole Giralda tower and the statue on top was known as Giraldillo. You can have a look at a copy of the Giraldillo that was placed in 2006 in one of the Cathedral‘s entrances (the one in front of the Lion’s Gate at the Alcázar).
  • The foundations of the Giralda tower are stones from ancient Roman constructions and some of them can be seen next to the floor. You’ll recognize them because there are some Latin graffiti on them.
  • There is an Arabic inscription on top of a column capital at the ramp #22 saying “In Allah’s name, Allah’s blessing for the Iman, serf of Allah, al-Hakam al-Mustansir billah, Prince of the Believers. He ordered the construction to (the name can’t be read) al-Banna in the year two and sixty and three hundred”. This year (362) corresponds to 972 in our calendar.
  • The architect of the Giralda, Ahmed Ben Maso, designed and built another minaret that is considered the twin sister of the Seville’s one. You can visit it in Rabat (Morocco) and it is called the Hassan tower.

 

The Giralda Tower (not so) hidden bonus!

The Giralda tower is 97.5 m high (320 ft) and you can climb to the top. Actually, you should because the views from there are absolutely gorgeous.

The bad news is that there is no elevator!

But, fortunately, the sultan ordered to build 35 ramps instead of steps so that the muezzin could ride a horse to the top to recite the Adhan (call to prayer)…

… so, there’s no excuse. If I did it (and I’m not fit at all), you can too!