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The views over Seville, from the top of the 100m+ metre high bell-tower are amazing and are totally worth the effort of climbing the tower. You look right over the city, including the Alcazar and its gardens. Don't be daunted by the climb. It is probably the easiest bell-tower to climb in in Europe. It’s mostly ramps, with only a few flights of stairs. The ramps are quite wide and, unlike other centuries-old church bell-towers, you don't have the same claustrophobic sense of narrow walls and tightly winding stairs and you can rest and let others pass you at any stage if you need to. The slope is pretty gentle - the steepest part is at the bottom and the incline gradually gets easier. We were intrigued by the ramps and at first, we puzzled over why they were there but they are a hangover from the Cathedral’s previous life as a mosque when the bell-tower was a minaret. Every day (5 times a day), the muezzin would ride a donkey to the top for prayer-call. King Ferdinand III also rode his horse up as well when he took over Seville on Nov 23, 1248. His battle pennant was placed at the very top, flying over the city and announcing his victory to all below. The same 800 year old pennant is on display at the back of the Cathedral, under glass. Before you even start the climb, look for the small chapel beside the entry to the tower with St Justa and St Rufina beside a golden replica of the bell-tower. The two young sisters are the patron saints of Seville and were tortured and martyred during a period of particularly vicious persecution of Christians. When they refused to make offerings to a pagan statue of the goddess, Salambo, they were attacked by a crowd and then arrested. Justa was killed and thrown into a well. Her sister, Rufina survived being thrown into an amphitheatre with a lion, so they had her burnt to death instead. Once we’d seen this image of the sisters and the tower, we saw it repeatedly throughout Seville. As you are climbing, there are narrow slits of windows where you can get a closer view of high up gargoyles and there are several alcoves with displays. When you exit the tower, you will find yourself in the large courtyard, Patio de los Naranjos (patio of the oranges). The bell-tower, together with the courtyard, are pretty much the only reminders of the mosque. The courtyard was an important feature, where worshippers washed their hands and feet before daily prayer. Today, it is a beautiful space filled with orange trees. Before leaving, don’t miss the very strange crocodile. It’s easy to miss because it’s hanging overhead. The weirdest thing about the crocodile is that it was actually a romantic gift from the Emir of Egypt, who wanted to win the hand of King Alfonso’s daughter. It was alive when he sent it and he included other gifts too (like a giraffe). Not surprisingly the Emir didn't get the girl. Maybe he should’ve tried diamonds? TICKETS - The tower climb is included in your Cathedral entry ticket. We avoided long cathedral lines in February by going via the Salvador church in Plaza Savador and buying a combo Church/Cathedral/Bell-Tower ticket there. The Salvador Church is Seville’s second biggest church and is well worth seeing. It’s only 3 min from the Cathedral.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
3 Helpful votes
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Bit of a climb but amazing views from the top. Gets quite busy and best to avoid peak times. The icing on the cake if you’ve walked around Seville - this way you can see it from above too!
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Date of experience: December 2019
1 Helpful vote
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This former minaret was incorporated into the cathedral to which it is now attached. The old mosque which had been converted into a cathedral after the Christian conquest of Spain was destroyed in the earthquake of 1356, but had suffered years of neglect prior to that. The Giralda Tower retains many of it's original Islamic architecture, It is possible to go to the top up a system of ramps, not stairs, and the views over the city are very good, It is one of the tallest church towers in the world, and its design has been copied in several countries, including the USA and Russia.…
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Date of experience: July 2020
3 Helpful votes
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Originally a minaret, the tower is now a Catholic monument and is next to the incredible cathedral. Climb to the top for great views of the city.
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Date of experience: August 2020
1 Helpful vote
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The Giralda never ceases to amaze me. Cannot recall my first visit but it was probably some 50 years ago. It still makes me feel overwhelmed by its immense beauty.
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Date of experience: July 2020
1 Helpful vote
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