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From the Golden Tower to the New World: Seville and the Memory of Spain’s Age of Discovery

I. The Sentinel of the Guadalquivir — The Golden Tower of Seville

Walking along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, one building immediately draws the eye: the twelve-sided Golden Tower (Torre del Oro). Constructed in the 13th century during the Almohad period, it was originally part of Seville’s defensive system, controlling river traffic and protecting the city from enemy ships.

The origin of its name remains debated. Some believe gold and silver from the Americas were once stored here, causing the tower to glow with reflected riches in the sun; others suggest the golden hue comes simply from the lime and straw mortar used in its construction. Whatever the truth, the Golden Tower has become a powerful symbol of Seville’s maritime past, bearing silent witness to the moment when Spain set sail from this river port toward the wider world.

II. The Beginning of a Voyage Around the World — The Replica of the Victoria

Not far from the Golden Tower, moored quietly along the riverbank, lies a modest yet evocative vessel: the replica of the Victoria. In 1519, the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan departed from Seville with his fleet, embarking on humanity’s first circumnavigation of the globe. Three years later, only the Victoria returned, completing the journey and forever altering mankind’s understanding of the world.

Faithfully reconstructed from historical records, the ship appears small and fragile by modern standards. Yet it was precisely such a wooden vessel that carried courage, uncertainty, and sacrifice from this inland harbor to the vast oceans beyond, securing Seville’s place at the very start of global maritime history.

III. The Summit of Faith and Power — Seville Cathedral

Winding through the narrow streets of the old city, the view suddenly opens to reveal the monumental Seville Cathedral, rising in solemn grandeur. Built on the site of a former grand mosque, it is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world. Legend has it that its builders declared, “Let us build a church so magnificent that those who come after us will think we were mad.”

Inside, soaring vaults, an ornate main altar, and stained-glass windows create an atmosphere of awe and reverence. The preserved Giralda Tower stands as a striking fusion of Islamic and Christian architectural traditions. More than a place of worship, the cathedral reflects the immense wealth, authority, and spiritual certainty of Seville at the height of the Spanish Empire.

IV. The Final Footnote of the Age of Discovery — The Tomb of Columbus

Within Seville Cathedral stands a solemn and commanding monument: the Tomb of Christopher Columbus. The sarcophagus is borne aloft by four sculpted figures representing the kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, Navarre, and León, symbolizing the unity of Spain and the glory of its maritime expansion.

Columbus’s remains were moved several times after his death, and for centuries their final resting place was a matter of debate. Today, Seville is widely recognized as where he lies at last. Standing before the tomb, one is drawn into reflection on an age shaped by exploration—an era of ambition and belief, glory and controversy—whose consequences continue to shape the world.

Conclusion

From the vigilant Golden Tower to the daring voyage of the Victoria, from the soaring vaults of the Cathedral to the contemplative silence of Columbus’s tomb, Seville is far more than a beautiful city of Andalusia. It is a living chronicle of the Age of Discovery. From here, Europe looked beyond the Mediterranean toward the Atlantic—and from here began a chapter of history that changed the world forever.