Discover The History Of The Torre Del Oro In Seville
The Torre del Oro in Seville is one of the most characteristic monuments of the city, as it stands elegant and beautiful next to the Guadalquivir. Impossible to take your eyes off her when she walks along the riverbank. Small, yes, but with an incredible story to tell and that today we are going to reveal to you.
The history of the Torre del Oro in Seville
The Torre del Oro in Seville is a military albarrana tower, as the fortresses or watchtowers that were separated from the walls are called. Its construction began in the year 1220 and lasted one year. It was the last defense element of the city to rise, thus closing the defensive system of Seville.
It was the governor of the city at that time, Abù-I-Ulà, who commanded its construction and joined with the Silver tower and the Alcázar. Today it houses the Naval Museum of Seville, where you can find engravings, marine charts, historical documents and various navigational instruments.
How is the Torre del Oro
It is composed of three bodies, each one ordered to be built by a different ruler. The first was commissioned, as we said before, by Abù-I-Ulà, while the second was raised by order of Pedro I El Cruel.
The third body, which is shaped like a cylinder and ends in a rounded dome, was the work of Sebastián Van der Borcht. It was made after the earthquake that hit Lisbon in 1755 and seriously affected the tower.
As for its name, there are different theories. On the one hand, it is said that its origin is due to the shine that the tiles that covered it gave off and that were reflected on the river water. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that it could be due to a mixture of lime and straw pressed into its walls.
Your difficult moments
Although there have been many difficult moments that this tower has gone through, some in particular must be highlighted. In the Lisbon earthquake, the Torre del Oro in Seville was devastated. Their demolition was even considered. However, the strong opposition of the Sevillians caused the tower to be repaired.
Another difficult time to highlight was the Revolution of 1868. At that time the revolutionaries threw the canvases from the wall to sell them and profit from it. The tower seemed destined to meet the same fate. But again the people of Seville insisted on defending and saving such a beautiful monument.
Your restorations
A construction with so many years of existence, as we have seen, has gone through different times, many of which almost ended with it. But fortunately, the Torre del Oro in Seville has withstood the test of time, the fury of nature and the destructive efforts of man.
Of course, after each period of abandonment or destruction the tower was restored, which was modifying its appearance. First after the earthquake, when the cylindrical body that crowns it was built. Then after the destruction of the revolutionaries.
It was in 1900 when a new reconstruction would begin. And already in the 1940s, more work would be undertaken, in this case to enable two floors inside to accommodate the museum that today houses. Just a few years ago, in 2005 it would go through a “facelift” again.
A few years earlier, during the celebration of the Universal Exposition of Seville, in 1992, the tower would star in a beautiful event: its twinning with the Torre de Belém, in Lisbon.
The Torre del Oro in Seville, much more modest than the Giralda, is nevertheless one of the city’s greatest attractions. It is worth admiring it from the river, from the San Telmo bridge and, of course, going to the top to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city. Are you going to miss it?
