Constructed within an ancient mosque, the Cathedral and Giralda is symbol of Seville and one of the biggest Christian monuments in the world. In 1987, the Cathedral was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the Reales Alcazares (the royal palaces) and the Archivo de Indias (Archive of the Indies). It was built at a time when great works were thought to reflect the power of monarchs and the clergy. Fortunately the original minaret and the courtyard known today as the Patio de los Naranjos (the orange tree courtyard). Work on the church began in 1402 and was completed in 1519 in late Gothic style. Later, new Renaissance style chapels were added, and in the eighteenth century the Iglesia del Sagrario (the church of the tabernacle) was built.

The entrance to the Cathedral is by way of the puerta del Lagarto - the lizard door - near the base of the Giralda. Carved in the stone lintel is a huge lizard that legend has it crawled up from the river to terrorise the city. Inside, the church is divided into five huge aisles by towering pillars that hold aloft the ribs of the vaulted Gothic ceiling. In the centre the transept is delimited by Renaissance railings. The altarpiece, the largest in Christendom, is a lofty golden drop decorated with carvings depicting episodes from the life of Christ.
On one side of the church stands the tomb of Christopher Columbus, held up by four heralds representing the kingdoms of Spain. Alongside is the capilla de la Antigua and the sacristy housing the Cathedral Museum. Among the most important items is the Cristo de la Clemencia, Martinez Montañes, and the painting of Santas Justa y Rufino by Goya. In the sacristy, which is of Rennaisance design, la Custodia is on display, and in the elliptical chapter room there are paintings of the Virgin and eight medallions by Murillo.

The capilla Real (chapel royal) is of Renaissance design, the work of Hernan Ruiz II and Martin de Gainza. Here lie the remains of three Spanish kings with close links to Seville: Fernando III El Santo (the saint), Alfonso X El Sabio (the wise), and Pedro I El Cruel (the cruel).

La Giralda
Alongside the cathedral stands the Giralda, one of the world's most famous towers, the sister of the Tower of Hassan in Rabat and the Kutubiya in Marrakech It is half Arabic and half Christian. The old minaret, built in 1184, was preserved by cathedral architects. On its four sides it retains the exposed brickwork and sebka decorative tracery. Between these panels there is a wide set of mullion windows. In 1558 the bells were added, crowned by a statue of Faith, popularly known as the Giraldillo, which acts as weather vane.