Seville Cathedral & Giralda
Ideal: Ideal for architecture, history, city views, and first-time Seville visitors.
By volume it is the world's largest Gothic cathedral; when construction was decided in 1401 councillors are said to have declared 'let us build a church so large they will think us mad'. An Almohad mosque previously stood on the site and its 1184 minaret was converted rather than demolished into the bell tower — the Giralda's lower body is therefore still Islamic architecture. You climb not by stairs but 35 ramps wide enough to ride a horse. Inside a casket carried by four allegorical figures holds the remains of Christopher Columbus.
Quick facts
- Built
- 1402
- Architectural style
- Gothic architecture
- Height
- 105 m
- Length
- 116 m
- Area
- 2.4 hectares
- Heritage status
- part of UNESCO World Heritage Site
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Did you know?
Why does the Giralda have ramps instead of stairs?
The tower was originally a mosque's minaret, built with 34 ramps so the muezzin could ride up on horseback or by mule. That is why you still climb to the top without steps.
Is Christopher Columbus really buried here?
DNA analysis in 2006 matched remains from the cathedral tomb with those of his brother, supporting the claim. Santo Domingo, however, still maintains that it holds his remains.
How large is the cathedral?
By volume it is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The chapter that approved it in 1401 is said to have resolved to build a church so great that anyone seeing it would think them mad.
Why go?
- To see one of the world's largest Gothic cathedrals
- To view Seville from the Giralda
- To feel Andalusia's Islamic, Christian, and city history in one building
Travel tip
The Giralda climb uses ramps not stairs but can still be tiring; comfortable shoes help.
