Torre del Oro and the river

You are standing in front of the Torre del Oro, one of the emblems of Sevilla. It was built in 1220 by the Almohads as part of the walls defending the city's port. Together with a twin tower on the Triana side, it held a great chain that could be raised across the river to block enemy ships. Its dodecagonal base is what makes it so distinctive. The name doesn't come from American gold, as many people say, but from the golden shine its original lime-and-straw mortar coating produced as it reflected in the river. After the Christian conquest the tower had a thousand uses: prison, chapel, precious-metal store, office of the House of Trade. In the 18th century it almost fell to demolition after the Lisbon earthquake, but the people of Sevilla protested and it was saved. Today it houses a small Naval Museum with models, instruments and navigation charts. Climb up: the view over the Guadalquivir, Triana and the Maestranza bullring is well worth it. Visitor tip: it is often free on Mondays, and always more beautiful at sunset, when the light truly ignites the golden colour of the stone. If you feel like it, continue along the river towards the Puente de San Telmo and take a short cruise; you'll see Sevilla from the very bank that once opened the gates to the New World.