The Giralda

The Giralda, former minaret and symbol of Seville

The Giralda is the former minaret of the Almohad great mosque of Seville, become the bell tower of the cathedral. The Seville audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this emblematic tower, a symbol of the city and a witness of its Almohad and Christian past.

From the Almohad minaret to the bell tower

The Giralda was raised as the minaret of the Almohad great mosque, in the twelfth century. Composed of a central square-based prism surrounded by ramps, it was kept after the Reconquest and topped, in the Renaissance, with a Christian belfry crowned by the Giraldillo weathervane statue. Become the bell tower of the cathedral, it is the most recognisable symbol of Seville.

What to see

You admire the outline of the tower, its Almohad decorations and the Giraldillo that crowns it. The climb by the interior ramps leads to an exceptional panorama of Seville and its roofs. It is a must-see stop, at once a symbol of the city and a witness of its history, to be discovered with the cathedral.

Practical information

The Giralda lies in the heart of Seville, attached to the cathedral, reachable on foot. The climb to the tower is generally done with the visit of the cathedral, with a fee and according to its own hours, which vary with the season. You reach the top by ramps rather than stairs. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What is the Giralda of Seville?

It is the former minaret of the Almohad great mosque, become the bell tower of the cathedral, crowned by the Giraldillo weathervane statue, a symbol of Seville.

Where is the Giralda?

In the heart of Seville, attached to the cathedral, of which it is the bell tower.