Torre del Oro, Witness to Seville's Glorious Maritime History

Paseo de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, 41001 Seville, Spain

The evening sunshine made the tower look particularly golden

3.6

Introduction

The Golden Tower is located in Seville, Spain, and is a twelve-sided military watchtower built during the 13th century under the rule of the Almohad dynasty. Its purpose was to control the waterway from the Guadalquivir River to Seville, providing secure protection for precious metal brought back by treasure fleets. It is speculated that the tower may have derived its name from this. The Golden Tower is divided into three parts, with the topmost level being a circular structure built in 1760. A large iron chain at the bottom of the tower could be pulled to block the river channel. Another positioning point across the bank has been dismantled or disappeared, possibly destroyed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In the 1248 reconquest movement, the city defended against fleets from Castile using the iron chain. Today, the Golden Tower has been restored and converted into the Naval Museum, showcasing engravings, letters, models, tools, and historical archives. The museum highlights Seville's naval history and the importance of the Guadalquivir River to the city. The tower also appears in the games Age of Empires II and III.