Page 444 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

442  SE VILLE

1 Seville Cathedral and La Giralda

Seville’s cathedral occupies the site of
a great mosque built by the Almohads
(see p58) in the late 12th century.
Based on the Koutoubia Mosque
of Marrakesh, La Giralda, along
with its bell tower and the Patio
de los Naranjos, are a legacy of
the original Moorish structure
here. Work on the Christian
cathedral, the largest in Europe, began
in 1401 and took just over a century to
complete. As well as enjoying its Gothic
immensity and the works of art in its
chapels and sacristy, visitors ascend the
ramped La Giralda for stunning city views.
. La Giralda
The bell tower is crowned
by a bronze weathervane
(giraldillo) portraying Faith,
from which it takes its
name. A replica has
replaced the original vane.

Group entrance

. Patio de los Naranjos
In Moorish times worshippers
would wash their hands and feet
in the fountain under the orange
trees before praying.

KEY
1 Iglesia del Sagrario, a large 5 The Tomb of Columbus dates
17th-century chapel, is now used from the 1890s. His coffin is carried
as a parish church. by bearers representing the king-
doms of Castile, León, Aragón and
2 Roman pillars brought from Navarra (see p58).
Itálica (see p482) surround the
cathedral steps. 6 Puerta de la Asunción is Gothic
in style, though the portal was not
3 Puerta del Perdón (exit) completed until 1833. A stone relief
4 The Sacristía Mayor houses of the Assumption of the Virgin
many works of art, including decorates the tympanum.
paintings by Murillo. 7 Puerta del Bautismo

For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp571–2 and pp597–8

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