Torre del Oro (Gold Tower), Seville

Torre del Oro (Gold Tower), Seville

Gold Tower is a dodecagonal military watchtower in Seville, built by the Almohad dynasty in order to control access to Seville via the Guadalquivir river. Constructed in the first third of the 13th century, the tower served as a prison during the Middle Ages. Its name comes from the golden shine it projected on the river, due to its building materials (a mixture of mortar, lime and pressed hay). The tower is divided into three levels, with the third and uppermost being circular in shape and added in 1769. The smaller and octagonal Silver Tower is nearby and is believed to be built in the same era.

At one point in the last two centuries the tower came under threat when the adjacent road needed widening but faced by strong opposition from the locals the demolition idea was dropped. In 1868 it was put up for sale as scrap but this too was vehemently rejected by the city's inhabitants. Today the tower, having been restored, is a naval museum containing engravings, letters, models, instruments and historic documents. The museum outlines the naval history of Seville and the importance of its river.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

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Torre del Oro (Gold Tower) on Map

Sight Name: Torre del Oro (Gold Tower)
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, then it's Andalusia, and they say if it's Andalusia, it is all about Seville. Seville is considered by many to be the home of Flamenco, and it lives everywhere, in bars, tablaos, theaters or around the next corner. Flamenco sites are to be found all over this city, but some of the most important Flamenco spots are located within the Santa Cruz...  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...