Cathedral of Seville

The canons of Seville reportedly agreed to build their new cathedral in 1401 with the declaration “Let us build a church so great that those who come after us will think us mad.” They succeeded. The Cathedral of Seville is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world by internal volume, and it was built on the site of the former Great Mosque of Seville – incorporating the minaret (now the Giralda bell tower) and the mosque’s courtyard into the Christian structure. That act of architectural appropriation is one of the most legible expressions of the Reconquista in stone anywhere in Spain.

Construction ran from 1401 to 1507, and the building contains 80 chapels. Among the more noted contents: Christopher Columbus is buried here, his remains carried back to Seville from Havana in 1899 and placed in an elaborate monument supported by statues representing the four kingdoms of Spain. Whether this is actually Columbus’s body, rather than a later substitution, has been the subject of genetic testing and ongoing scholarly dispute.

Visiting

Adult admission in 2026 is 17 euros, covering the cathedral, the Giralda Tower, and the Church of El Salvador. Reduced rates apply for seniors, students 14-25, and those with disabilities. Children under 14 enter free. Every Sunday between 2:30pm and 3:30pm admission is free of charge.

Book tickets online in advance at the cathedral’s official site (catedraldesevilla.es) to avoid the queue at the entrance, which can run 45 minutes in summer. An audio guide is 5 euros. The visit takes approximately 75 minutes at a reasonable pace; the Giralda tower adds 20-30 minutes.

The Giralda Tower

The Giralda is the most identifiable building in Seville – the 104-metre tower visible from across the city. The lower section is the original 12th-century Almohad minaret; the Renaissance belfry was added after the Reconquista. The distinctive feature of the climb is that it uses ramps rather than stairs, originally designed so that horsemen could ride to the top. The 35 ramps are gradual and accessible to most visitors. The views from the top take in the terracotta rooftops of the old city and, on clear days, the Andalusian plain.

The Royal Chapel and Chapels

The Royal Chapel (behind the high altar, normally requiring separate arrangement to enter during services) contains the tomb of Ferdinand III of Castile, who conquered Seville from the Moors in 1248. The main chapel collection includes works by Murillo and Valdés Leal. The sheer accumulation of artistic patronage over five centuries means the cathedral rewards extended time more than a brief walk-through.

Seville Beyond the Cathedral

The Alcazar directly south is a royal palace complex of Mudejar, Gothic, and Renaissance construction begun in the 14th century – still an official royal residence, making it one of the oldest in continuous royal use in the world. The gardens are as significant as the buildings. Combine both sites in a single day and allow at least four hours total.

Eating

Meson el Rinconcillo, open since 1670, is the oldest tavern in Seville and serves authentic Andalusian food – good for a simple lunch after the cathedral. Eslava in the Triana neighbourhood does excellent tapas. For flamenco with dinner, Casa de la Memoria is more intimate and less staged than most tourist venues.

Staying

Hotel Alfonso XIII near the cathedral is the historic luxury option. For something more central and less expensive, the boutique hotels in the Santa Cruz quarter (the old Jewish quarter, immediately behind the cathedral) are well-positioned and often characterful.