In 1420 Sevilla was one of the largest international financial powers of the time and the city’s prosperity grew following the discovery of the New World in 1492. For the next two hundred years Sevilla was the designated capital of the Carrera de Indias (the Indies route, a Spanish trading monopoly with Latin America). As such the city was the "Gateway to the Indies" and the sole trading port with the Indies between 1503 and 1718.
The Archivo de Indias was constructed in 1585 to house the Casa Lonja or Consulado de Mercaderes de Sevilla (Consulate of Merchants). In 1785, on the orders of King Charles III, it became the Archivo General de Indias which today houses the greatest collection of documentation concerning the discovery of, and relations with, the New World.
As a research library, the Archivo contains over 80 million pages that comprise some 43,000 original documents that cover three centuries and reach from Spain to the Philippines and from Tierra de Fuego north. Within its walls are every official document; letter; map; ship's manifest, and drawings from the time of the discovery and conquest of the Americas. Letters from Columbus to Queen Isabel along with his personal journal; maps of the new world, artifacts and drawings of what the conquistadores found are on display as is Pope Alexander VI’s Bull of Demarcation dividing the world between Spain and Portugal.
Designed by Juan de Herrera, the architect responsible for completing El Escorial, the Archivo de Indias is among the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and perfectly embodies the links between the Old and New World. Over the centuries a second floor was added along with a stunning 18th century marble staircase and the Cruz del Juramento (Oath Cross) in front of the entrance. Built around a large central patio, the building is surmounted by a balustrade with obelisks at the corners. Bare of any sculptural decoration, the beauty of the design is in the discreetly contrasting tones of stone and stucco.
The Archivo also hosts Exhibitions and has recently opened a new gallery centering on Goya’s work.
Of note - photographs are permitted other than in one section.
Days and Hours of Operation for Archivo Library: September 16 through June 15: Monday to Friday from 8am through 3pm (15.00); June 16 through September 15: Monday to Friday from 8am through 2:30pm (14.30)
Days and Hours of Operation for Exhibitions: Monday to Saturday 9:30am through 5pm (17.00) and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00am through 2pm (14.00); Sundays and Public Holidays: 10am through 2pm (14.00)
Admission is free
The Archivo de Indias was constructed in 1585 to house the Casa Lonja or Consulado de Mercaderes de Sevilla (Consulate of Merchants). In 1785, on the orders of King Charles III, it became the Archivo General de Indias which today houses the greatest collection of documentation concerning the discovery of, and relations with, the New World.
As a research library, the Archivo contains over 80 million pages that comprise some 43,000 original documents that cover three centuries and reach from Spain to the Philippines and from Tierra de Fuego north. Within its walls are every official document; letter; map; ship's manifest, and drawings from the time of the discovery and conquest of the Americas. Letters from Columbus to Queen Isabel along with his personal journal; maps of the new world, artifacts and drawings of what the conquistadores found are on display as is Pope Alexander VI’s Bull of Demarcation dividing the world between Spain and Portugal.
Designed by Juan de Herrera, the architect responsible for completing El Escorial, the Archivo de Indias is among the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture and perfectly embodies the links between the Old and New World. Over the centuries a second floor was added along with a stunning 18th century marble staircase and the Cruz del Juramento (Oath Cross) in front of the entrance. Built around a large central patio, the building is surmounted by a balustrade with obelisks at the corners. Bare of any sculptural decoration, the beauty of the design is in the discreetly contrasting tones of stone and stucco.
The Archivo also hosts Exhibitions and has recently opened a new gallery centering on Goya’s work.
Of note - photographs are permitted other than in one section.
Days and Hours of Operation for Archivo Library: September 16 through June 15: Monday to Friday from 8am through 3pm (15.00); June 16 through September 15: Monday to Friday from 8am through 2:30pm (14.30)
Days and Hours of Operation for Exhibitions: Monday to Saturday 9:30am through 5pm (17.00) and Sundays and public holidays from 10:00am through 2pm (14.00); Sundays and Public Holidays: 10am through 2pm (14.00)
Admission is free
