ENGLISH ARTICLES

Giralda

A tower adjoining the Cathedral in Sevilla, Spain. One of the most beautiful towers in the world, the Giralda was built about 1190, in the period when the Moors in Spain were developing a national art. It was the main minaret of the original mosque. After the capture of Sevilla by Ferdinand III in 1248, the mosque was utilized as a cathedral; later it was rebuilt in Gothic style. However, the minaret was preserved as originally designed. The architect Hermán Ruiz added a new base having a square belfry supporting three receding lanterns. The topmost lantern bears a globe, on which stands a bronze statue. This figure stands 275 feet (83 meters) in the air and serves as a weather vane, or giraldillo. On Easter Sunday an elaborate performance on the great bells attracts the holiday crowds.