The watchtower of Seville

This, with the Giralda, is the second symbol of Seville. While both are towers, the Giralda is the companion of the Cathedral as well as the original minaret of the former mosque, the Golden Tower rises from the banks of the Guadalquivir, without any company to give it context, but it gives elegance and personality to the city.

 Almohade defence

It was a defence tower, called Albarrana Tower, and it was at the end of the wall that came directly from the Alcazar. It passed by the current Santander Street and joined with the Silver Tower, today almost unnoticeable. Nevertheless, the demolition of the walls in the 19^th century left the tower on its own, being the only testimony to the fortifications that once existed.

It was constructed by the Almohads as part of the wall and its duty was to protect the city from river attacks, which it did by a chain that reached across to the opposite bank of the river. It was this chain that was broken by the Christian troops when the city was conquered in 1248.

An atypical tower

What makes it so characteristic is the dodecagonal shape that makes the first part of the tower.  The second section was added several centuries after, in the time of Pedro I, in the mudejar style and the last part is from the 18^th Century. Its name the Golden Tower, comes from the lime plaster that covered its walls. Today it houses a Naval museum, following on from its nautical past, being part of the port of Seville.

But there’s no doubt that its figure forms part of the landscape of the city, it cannot be missed being seen from the river and it’s an emblem for all Sevillians.

Images source: 11 – 14 (section 2)