General Archive of the Indies
Archivo General de Indias
A World Heritage site converted from a 16th-century trading exchange. It preserves precious archives from Spain's colonial era in the Americas and is free to visit.
The building was designed by Juan de Herrera, architect of El Escorial, and was completed as the merchants' exchange (Casa Lonja) between 1584 and 1598. From 1785 it became the central repository for records of Spain's overseas colonies, including documents related to Columbus and Magellan and many early maps of the Americas. Together with the Royal Alcázar and the Cathedral, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The marble staircase and gallery halls on the second floor are open to the public, and admission is free. Located between the Cathedral and the Royal Alcázar, it makes a good detour of 30 to 45 minutes. Closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sat 09:30–17:00, Sun 10:00–14:00, closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Real Alcázar of Seville
- Barrio de Santa Cruz
- Seville Cathedral & La Giralda
- Hospital de los Venerables
- Royal Tobacco Factory
- Torre del Oro
- Flamenco Dance Museum
- Church of the Divine Saviour