In Seville, Spain, there is one of the best-known towers in the country, which has become an emblematic area of this Spanish city, belonging to the community of Andalusia. The tower we are talking about is the Giralda, located in the Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede, also known as the Cathedral of Seville. If you are interested in learning more about this ancient and emblematic construction, as well as want to know some of the curiosities of the Giralda, we invite you to continue reading and discover what we have prepared for you.
La Giralda is the bell tower of the best-known cathedral in Seville., where the Virgin of the Headquarters is worshiped. The height of this tower, its history and value, both cultural and religious, have made it one of the most important constructions in all of Spain and even in the very curious Europe, which is why it is necessary to know the curiosities of the Giralda that you will see next. Are you ready?
20 Curiosities of the Giralda of Seville | The famous bell tower of Seville
1. At the top of the Giralda it is possible to see a sculpture called Giraldillo. This work was built in 1568, is made of bronze, measures 3.47 meters high and weighs no more and no less than 1.2 tons. According to the Sevillians, this sculpture represents the Christian faith.
2. The Giralda measures almost 95 meters high, a length that includes the Giraldillo.
3. This construction It is one of the highest in EuropeAs one of the curiosities of the Giralda, it surpasses Big Ben, in England, and the Tower of Pisa, in Italy.
4. The construction of the Giralda of the city of Seville It began in the year 1172 with the idea of building a mosque, however, the project had to be paralyzed on numerous occasions due to pressure from the armies.
5. La Giralda began to be built on a plot of land measuring only 3.60 meters.
6. The stones that were used to create part of the Giralda were obtained from the Alcázar palace of Ibn Abbad.
7. In the year 1248 the Giralda became a Christian temple, however, its mosque part was not abandoned. Two of the lower parts of this tower function as a mosque even today; while the rest of the construction is designed for Catholic worship.
8. The western area of the Giralda It has a view towards the Patio de los Naranjos, the east face towards the Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes, while to the north is Calle Placentines and, to the south, Plaza del Triunfo.
9. The upper area of the Giralda (where the bells, clock, dial and Giraldillo are located) was designed by the architect Hernán Ruiz II and complies with a Renaissance style.
10. At the upper interior end of the Giralda it is possible to find a total of 24 bells, which have been restored for your proper enjoyment. The heaviest bell has a total of 5362 kilograms.
eleven. The nun Bárbara de Santo Domingo was born in the Giralda, specifically in one of the rooms that were located in the interior chamber of the construction, intended for the bell ringers’ home. Because her birth arose inside this ancient construction, the nun (who is in the process of beatification) is known under the name “Daughter of the Giralda.”
12. In the year 1400 the clock was located at the top of the Giralda, it is currently not active.
13. As another of the curiosities of the GiraldaIn this case, literary, in “Don Quixote”, a work by Miguel de Cervantes, reference is made to this tower.
14. In 1928, the Giralda was declared National Heritage.
15. La Giralda is on the list of World Heritage SitesSpecifically, in 1987 he entered it.
16. La Giralda has been a tower widely replicated in the world. For example, in New York there was a replica (taller than the one in Seville) that was demolished; Likewise, in Kansas it is possible to find a tower that is still intact, which is smaller than the original. For its part, the Sevillian construction served as inspiration to develop the Tower of the University of Puerto Ricowhile in Havana, Cuba, there is a Giraldillo replicawhich bears the name of Giraldilla.
17. The name Giralda was chosen after many years; in fact, it comes from the title of the sculpture located at the top of the tower, the Giraldillo.
18. One of the doors of the Giralda It is called “Lizard” due to a legend about a rejected marriage proposal. The Sultan of Egypt asked him for the hand of the daughter of King Alfonso According to legend, the king rejected the proposal and the gifts were sent to the Cathedral, which were hung in front of the door in question of the Giralda.
19. The popularity of the Giralda has even reached video games and the big screen. This construction appeared in the game SimCity, in 2013; while in 2016 a scene is included in which it is possible to view it in the film “Assassin’s Creed”, however, it was later removed due to historical inconsistencies.
20. As the last point of the curiosities of the Giralda, we will tell you about another of the legends that are told about this emblematic Sevillian tower. During the reconquesta group of Muslims threatened to tear down the Giralda because they did not want Catholics to enter it. Alfonso Fortunately, the Muslims abandoned the city without causing damage.
This popular tower in Seville, Spain, has important historical value for all of Europe, which is why It has become one of the places that you should visit if you have the opportunity to get to know the municipality belonging to Andalusia.. Let us know in the comments area which curiosities of the Giralda you found most surprising and, of course, don’t forget to add if you have visited this construction on a previous occasion. We will be happy to read you!