Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies), Seville

Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies), Seville

Archivo General de Indias, also known as the General Archive of the Indies, is located near Plaza del Triunfo in central Seville. The archive was created in 1785 as a place to hold all documentation regarding the country's overseas territories, though the building has a history that dates to 1646.

The building was designed by architect Juan de Herrera. It was used as a center of commerce for the city. Other architects, including Alonso de Vandelvira and Miguel de Zumarraga, aided Herrera in designing a building that was resistant to fires, which was a common issue at the time.

King Carlos III reinvented the building as a place to hold important documentation relating to possessions in the Americas. Seville was chosen for this, in part, because the city was the sole trade port in Spain for the New World.

Visitors may explore that archives on Tuesday through Saturday from 9.30 AM to 4:45 PM. The building is open on Sundays from 10 AM to 1:45 PM. It is closed on Mondays and certain holidays. Admission is free.

Tip:
One of the most interesting exhibits is on the ground floor – the 1616 cannon from the "Nuestra Señora de Atocha" which was a treasure-laden ship that sank in a storm on the way back to Spain from Havana. This exhibit is enough to make the visit memorable – don't miss it!

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seville. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies) on Map

Sight Name: Archivo General de Indias (Archive of the Indies)
Sight Location: Seville, Spain (See walking tours in Seville)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Seville, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Seville

Create Your Own Walk in Seville

Creating your own self-guided walk in Seville is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Flamenco Walking Tour

Flamenco Walking Tour

They say if it's Flamenco – it's Andalusia, and if it's Andalusia – it's all about Seville. Indeed, with its roots deeply embedded in the Andalusian culture, Seville is a prime destination for experiencing the essence of Flamenco and is largely considered to be the home of this fiery dance.

Flamenco sites are found all over the city – in bars, theaters, or specialized...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Seville Walking Tour

Old Seville Walking Tour

Seville's varied history has left behind a great deal of heritage, much of which is seen in the Old Town, the largest in Europe. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the former Jewish quarter of Seville, and one of the famous districts here. From 1248 to 1492, it had been inhabited by the largest Jewish community in Spain – eventually driven out, leaving this beautiful neighborhood forlorn.

Today the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Seville Introduction Walking Tour

Seville Introduction Walking Tour

Seville is the largest city and provincial capital of Andalusia. It is in the southwest of Spain, on the banks of the Guadalquivir. Ancient tradition holds that Seville was founded by Hercules. It was called Hisbaal by Phoenician colonizers for the god Baal. The Romans latinized the name, calling it Hispalis.

In the year 711 CE the city was brought under Muslim rule and renamed Ishbiliyah. It...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


16 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy in Seville

16 Uniquely Spanish Things to Buy in Seville

Immortalized by Gioachino Rossini in his famous The Barber of Seville opera, the city of Seville is a major historic and cultural sight adorning the face of modern Spain. Much of the city's character is reflected in the locally-made products that can make for a great gift or trip memento...