Place to see: Giralda, Sevilla, Spain

About this place:

The Giralda is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Seville (Spain).

The tower, an ancient minaret from the Almohad mosque of Seville, is constructed in several distinct parts from different cultures. The Islamic body is the oldest part, built in 1184. The Giralda has no stairs; instead, 34 ramps are used to ascend the tower. The ramps were sufficiently wide for the muezzin to ride a horse to the top of the tower to call to prayer.

The copper sphere that originally topped the tower fell in an earthquake in 1365. Christians replaced the sphere with a cross and bell. Later, in the 16th century, the minaret was converted into a bell tower: at the top stands a statue representing Faith.

The statue stands 4 m in height and has crowned the top of the tower since its installation in 1568. The statue was originally called the Giralda ("weathervane") since it twists with the wind on a weathervane.