Archive of the Indies

Culture in Sevilla, Andalusia, Spain

• Best months: March–June
• Typical duration: 2h
• Elevation gain: 0 m
• Open weeks per year: 17

Things to do

• admire the architecture
• explore renaissance courtyard (feature: two-storey central patio)
• join guided tours (when available)
• learn about the age of discovery and the spanish empire
• research historical records (by appointment for researchers)
• see maps, manuscripts, and letters from famous explorers
• view archival documents (scope: 16th–19th century colonial records)
• view rotating exhibitions of original historical documents

Features

• ~80 million pages held (volumes: 43,000 · shelving km: 9)
• columbus journal on site (other items: Inter caetera bull, Cervantes petition)
• founded 1785 by charles iii (decree: February 1785 · inaugurated: 1785)
• spanish renaissance architecture (style: Italianate · architect: Juan de Herrera)
• unesco world heritage site (designated: 1987 · joint with: Seville Cathedral, Alcázar)

Nearby

• alcázar of seville (relation: adjoining, shared UNESCO listing)
• seville cathedral (relation: adjoining, shared UNESCO listing)

Good to know

• former merchant exchange building (built: 1584–1646 · original use: Consulado de mercaderes)