Torre del Oro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torre del Oro |
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The Torre del Oro, view from the north.
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| General information | |
| Type | Watchtower |
| Location | Seville, Spain |
| Type: | Non-movable |
| Criteria: | Monument |
| Designated: | 3 June 1931 |
| Reference #: | RI-51-0000887 |
The Torre del Oro is a famous old tower in Seville, southern Spain. Its name means "Tower of Gold" in Arabic. It was built by the Almohad people to guard the Guadalquivir river. This river was an important way to get into Seville.
The tower was built in the early 1200s. For a time, it was even used as a prison during the Middle Ages. People say it got its name because it looked golden in the sunlight. This golden look came from the materials used to build it. These materials included a mix of mortar, lime, and pressed hay.
Contents
Building the Golden Tower
The Torre del Oro has three main parts, or levels. Each level was built at a different time.
First Level: The Base
The first level has 12 sides, making it a dodecagon. It was built around 1220. The Almohad governor of Seville, Abù l-Ulà, ordered its construction.
Second Level: A Later Addition
The second level is also dodecagonal. It is about 8 meters tall. This part was added later, in the 1300s. Peter of Castile, a king, likely had it built. Experts have confirmed this with archaeological studies.
Third Level: After the Earthquake
The top level is round. It was added after a big earthquake in 1755 damaged the tower. The original top part was destroyed. A military engineer named Sebastian Van der Borcht rebuilt this section in 1760.
Nearby Towers
Close to the Torre del Oro is another tower called the Torre de la Plata. This tower has eight sides. It is thought to have been built around the same time as the Torre del Oro.
How the Tower Protected Seville
The Torre del Oro was very important for protecting Seville. It was one of two points that held a huge chain. This chain could be stretched across the river. It would block ships from entering Seville.
The other end of the chain is no longer there. It might have been destroyed during the 1755 earthquake. This chain was used to defend the city in 1248. At that time, the Castilian fleet, led by Ramón de Bonifaz, attacked Seville. Bonifaz broke through the river defenses. This helped his forces to cut off Seville from the Triana area.
The Tower's Story Through Time
The Torre del Oro was built between 1220 and 1221. It was ordered by Abu l-Ulà, the Almohad governor of Seville. Its 12-sided base helped block access to the Arenal district. A wall connected it to the Torre de la Plata. This wall was part of the city's defenses around the Alcazar.
Earthquake Damage and Repairs
The tower was badly damaged by the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Someone even suggested tearing it down. They wanted to make more space for horse-drawn carriages. But the people of Seville did not want this. They asked the king for help, and he agreed.
In 1760, the tower was repaired. The bottom floor was fixed and made stronger. A new entrance was also created. That same year, the round top part was built. This work was done by Sebastian Van der Borcht. He also designed the Royal Tobacco Factory of Seville. These repairs changed how the tower looked compared to older pictures.
Modern Connections and Museum
On August 13, 1992, the Torre del Oro became a "sister" to the Tower of Belem in Lisbon. This was part of the Universal Exposition in Seville.
Today, the Torre del Oro is a museum. It shows old tools used for sailing. You can also see models of ships and historical papers. There are also old maps that show Seville's connection to the Guadalquivir River and the sea. The tower was last restored in 2005.
Gallery
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This image shows the second and third levels, which were added after the original construction.
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Charles Clifford - The Guadalquivir, the Torre del Oro, Seville (around 1862)
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David Roberts - The Guadalquivir and the Golden Tower (around 1832)
See also
- Torre de la Plata
- In Spanish: Torre del Oro para niños
