La Giralda (la Giralda)

The construction of the tower began in 1184. The architect was Ahmed bin Banu. The construction of the tower Ali al Gomar was completed in 1198. The base of the tower is made up of large stones taken from Roman buildings. Ancient Roman inscriptions can still be seen on these stones. The ancient Moorish part of the tower rises to 70 meters. Outside, at an altitude of 25 meters, an ornamental pattern begins.

Four copper-plated golden orbs crowned the tower during the Arab era. They are mentioned in the chronicles of Alphonse the Wise. It says that when the sun illuminates these balls, the gleam from them can be seen at a distance of one day's journey to Seville. These balls were so large that it was necessary to expand the city gates when they were filmed. On the flat roof of this minaret was the largest observatory in Europe at that time. Later, the minaret served as a Christian bell tower. In the 16th century, several tiers were completed, tapering to the top. The uppermost level serves as a pedestal for the statue of the Faith. In the hands of the statue holds a banner. This statue is nothing but a weather vane. In Spanish, the weathercock sounds like a hiraldillo (hence the name of the tower).

Smooth brick lining divides the upper tiers into three elongated zones. On the central axis are single, and then double windows (ahimses). Framed these windows are white, blue and pink columns. The windows are inscribed in arched arches with a facetted edge. The central axis with windows is framed by vertical stripes of a relief decor, it is formed by a geometric braid and the alternation of double pointed arches. The motif of the Almohand ornamentation, prevailing in the architecture of the Giralda. Strict planarity subordinates all its elements. In the general picture, the decoration is a patterned inset in a solid stone massif. The corners of the tower are left smooth. They make the Giralda look like a huge monolith, rushing its clearly outlined faces skyward. Completes the impression of the power of the minaret, formed by a diamond-shaped pattern and a dead arcade, a strict horizontal frieze.

The inner part of the minaret consists of seven tiers. They are connected to each other on 28 levels by stone ramps. To increase the strength, and already thick, the walls of the tower, they are carpentry as the narrowing of the inner space going up.

La Giralda is one of the best examples of Almohad architecture. The tower embodies all its characteristic features, such as proportionality, peculiar structure and harmony of the image, solemnity and massive form, strictness of decoration. This is the only building that stood during the sixteen-month siege of Seville by Christians during the Reconquista.

Today, the Giralda tower also serves as a viewing platform. It offers a magnificent view of the city.