Seville, Seville, Andalusia, Spain
Military Watchtower · Almohad · 13th Century
The Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) is a dodecagonal military watchtower in Seville, southern Spain. It was built by the Almohad Caliphate in order to control access to Seville via the Guadalquivir river. Constructed in the first third of the 13th century, the tower served as a prison during the Middle Ages.
Construction: 1220 – 1221
Founder: Abu l-Ula
Key figures: Abu l-Ula
Significance: Defensive tower protecting the port of Seville.
- 1220: Construction of the first dodecagonal section
- 1248: Used to defend against the Castilian fleet
- 1760: Third circular level added
Architectural styles: Almohad, Military
Materials: Mortar, Lime, Pressed Hay
- Dodecagonal Shape: Twelve-sided polygon base, unique for its time.
- River Defense: A heavy chain used to be connected to another tower across the river to block ships.
Opening hours: 09:30 - 18:45 (summer) · 09:30 - 18:45 (winter) – Weekends 10:30 - 18:45
- General: €3.00
- Students/Seniors: €1.50
- Mondays: €0.00
Accessibility: Many stairs, no elevator.
Official site: https://museonaval.com
Address: Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, 41001 Sevilla, Spain
Coordinates: 37.3824, -5.9963