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Seville Cathedral
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · ES

Seville Cathedral

Getting around: In the heart of Seville's old town, walkable from anywhere downtown, adjacent to the Real Alcazar and Barrio Santa Cruz.
Hours: Typically open Monday-Saturday roughly 11:00-17:00, Sundays shorter with Mass restrictions in the morning.

Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world by volume, built over the site of the city's former mosque after the reconquest, deliberately conceived on a scale intended to demonstrate the wealth and religious authority of the city. Its most famous feature besides sheer size is the tomb of Christopher Columbus, held aloft by four large sculpted figures representing the medieval kingdoms of Spain, though the authenticity of the remains inside has been debated by historians.

The cathedral's bell tower, the Giralda, is a preserved former minaret from the original mosque and included in the same admission ticket, climbable via interior ramps rather than stairs for most of its height. The sheer scale of the interior, with its enormous main altarpiece considered one of the largest in the world, can take real time to appreciate properly.

Seville Cathedral FAQs

Is Columbus really buried here?

A tomb attributed to Christopher Columbus is a major feature of the cathedral, though historians have debated the authenticity and completeness of the remains inside over the years.

Is the Giralda included in the ticket?

Yes, access to climb the Giralda bell tower is included with the standard cathedral admission.

How long does a visit take?

At least 1.5-2 hours to see the cathedral interior and climb the tower without rushing.

Is it really the largest Gothic cathedral?

Yes, it's generally cited as the largest Gothic cathedral in the world by volume, though other cathedrals may claim records by different metrics like floor area or height.

Should I book ahead?

Recommended in high season since it's one of Seville's most visited sites and queues can be long without a pre-booked ticket.

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