Seville Cathedral

and its Giralda Tower

travel  wonder in Spain

Why the

Seville Cathedral

and its Giralda Tower

are special

The Seville Cathedral's golden altarpiece is awesome and its tall bell tower, the Giralda, is a Moorish architectural masterpiece.

Tips & insights on

the Seville Cathedral

The Seville Cathedral was built over a grand mosque. It took just a tad more than a century to build, which is remarkably fast considering its size, complexity and construction era.

During the planning stages, an official famously said, "Let's build a church so large that viewers will think we're crazy".

It was built large, incredibly so.

The altarpiece in the main chapel is the Seville Cathedral's finest attraction. It rises 27 meters (90 feet) and its numerous skillfully sculpted wooden statues and other carvings are thickly gilded, making it the world's richest and most dazzling altarpiece.

The ceiling of the Seville Cathedral soars as high as a modern 13-story building.

Christopher Columbus is entombed in the Seville Cathedral. This was confirmed by recent DNA testing.

Tips & insights on

the Giralda Tower

The Giralda Tower has become the symbol of Seville.

It is 97 meters or 320 feet tall. (You can see on the right side of the cathedral in the photo.)

The Giralda Tower was originally a minaret. It was converted into a bell tower after the Christians retook Seville from the Moors in the 13th century.

For a panoramic view of the city, hike up the interior ramp of the Giralda Tower to the observatory (about 200 feet above street level).

View my other gold,

silver & bronze medal

winners in Spain

My Spanish

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

Spanish cuisine

I hope your Spain travel dreams come true - and that 

my Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications